Boosting Agricultural Productivity and Food Security in Africa: A Case Study of Ghana
Event Format
Event Date
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Please join the Wilson Center Africa Program for a discussion on “Boosting Agricultural Productivity and Food Security in Africa: A Case Study of Ghana."
Despite the progress that has been made toward addressing food security in Africa, it remains of vital concern, both as a contributor to instability and insecurity and as a barrier to human development. Reforms and advances in the agricultural sector can play a significant role in the ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity. As in many countries across Africa, agriculture is a key element of Ghana’s economy and development. Today, agricultural activities employ almost half of the Ghanaian population, including about 70% of people living in rural areas.[1] Yet, over 1 million Ghanaians are still estimated to lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of food.[2] Many factors underpin this food insecurity. Relative to other countries in Africa, Ghana underfunds the agricultural sector and has not built up an infrastructure for market access to agricultural products. With current spending that does not foster sufficient productivity in the agricultural sector, and with barriers preventing the efficient allocation of resources, Ghana faces challenges that may further affect food security in the future.
This event will assess the key factors affecting agricultural productivity in Africa with a focus on public expenditure management in this sector and the implications of agricultural productivity on food security. By identifying the barriers to more efficient public financing, this discussion seeks to share lessons learned, best practices, and opportunities for increasing funding, ensuring efficient resource allocation in the agricultural sector, and reducing food insecurity.
Moderator:
- Monde Muyangwa, Africa Program Director
Speakers
- Francis Kobina Appiah Abebrese, Economic and Research Analyst, Current Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar, African Center for Economic Transformation (Ghana)
- Dr. Tewodaj Mogues, Senior Research Fellow, Development Strategy and Governance Division, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)