The latest Food Security Update from the World Bank has revealed that approximately 1.96 million Ghanaians are currently grappling with acute food and nutrition insecurity.
This accounts for 6.1% of the total population facing such challenges in West and Central Africa, placing Ghana in the 9th position among the most affected countries in the region.
According to recent estimates by the Cadre Harmonisé, a total of 34.7 million people in West and Central Africa, constituting 7.8% of the population, are experiencing acute food and nutrition insecurity as of November 2023.
Sierra Leone leads the list with 15.2% of its population affected, followed by Chad with 12.1% and Cameroon with 10.6%.
The situation is anticipated to worsen during the upcoming lean season from June to August 2024. Projections indicate that approximately 47 million people, representing 10.5% of the total population, will face acute food and nutrition insecurity during this period, including 2.2 million in Ghana.
Additionally, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States in early February.
While the consequences of this decision remain uncertain, it could potentially impact intraregional trade and commerce, as highlighted in the report.