COVID-19, agriculture and food security in Ghana; the way forward

Abstract

Food production, its availability, and accessibility will continue to be key contributors to human existence. The world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020 and its effect trickled into reduced production of goods and services in many industries across the globe. Understanding the effects of the pandemic in Ghana necessitated the writeup of this paper. The study took the form of a desk review where current studies across the globe on the effect of the pandemic on agriculture and food security were reviewed, after which it was supported by data from self-placed questionnaire administration. Across the globe, agricultural production experienced a reduction that phased into food insecurity. This was not limited only to the extremely affected countries, but also, in countries where COVID-19 infections were low. One key limiting factor that spiked the challenge in the agricultural sector was a reduction in the availability of labour for production. In many leading food-producing countries, the challenge became acute when perishable food crops began to get damaged. In Ghana, the virus similarly led to restrictions in movements in and between epicenters. It was reported by the Ghana Statistical Service that, 77.4% of Ghanaians were negatively affected by the increased prices in food sold in the country. Without immediate and effective management as well as policy interventions from the Ghanaian government, it is highly possible for most farmers and agricultural businesses to completely collapse. This communication is to highlight some ongoing and disturbing effects of the pandemic to policymakers as well as individual and governmental strategies that have been put in place to curb adverse effects on food production. This will help enhance Ghanaians’ standards of living amidst economic challenges.