Still in the bid to eradicate hunger and food insecurity in the country, Kufuor Foundation launches Ghana Zero Hunger Strategic Review project…
The John A. Kufuor Foundation has launched the Ghana Zero Hunger Strategic Review; a project that is aimed at facilitating government’s goal of wiping out hunger and food insecurity, alongside ameliorating nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture by 2030. The launch which took place in Accra, on Tuesday, January 24, was done in partnership with the Government of Ghana and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The chief convener at the occasion was former president John Agyekum Kufuor, founder and owner of the Kufuor Foundation. Speaking at the launch, he pointed out the gross effects of hunger and malnutrition on a country if left unattended. This according to him, makes it extremely necessary to do something about the menace.
Kufuor enlightened the people on the high cost of hunger and malnutrition on Ghana’s GDP as revealed by several researches conducted. Making reference to one of the studies, he pointed out that in 2012 alone, hunger slashed off 6% out of the GDP; a percentage that amounts to GH¢ 4.6 billion. He explained that the resultant effects of not addressing nutrition include “foregone productivity, decreased educational outcomes and increased health burden”.
He however, expressed hope on the strategic review, adding that it will help to identify the gaps in achieving the SDG2 which will in turn help partners and organizations to draw their strategies and programmes to assist Ghana’s efforts towards achieving the SDG2 and related SDGs.
The Food and Agriculture Minister-designate, Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto in a speech which was read by a delegate also emphasized the importance of the review. He also pointed out government’s commitment towards achieving Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which forms part of the reason why it intends to launch the “Planting for Food and Jobs” campaign. The aim of Goal 2 of the SDG is to “end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
UN Ghana Resident Coordinator Christine Evans-Klock urged global leaders to ensure that all children have sufficient and nutritious food all year round.
The Ghana Zero Hunger Strategic Review is a project which is expected to help the Government of Ghana and donor agencies to find out what will be done to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG) which is ‘Zero Hunger’ and other SDGs by 2030. Reports reveal that the review process will commence in February 2017.
An Advisory Board and Technical Team for the “Ghana Zero Hunger Strategic Review” were drawn from the University of Ghana, World Food Program (WFP), Government Institutions and ministries of Education, Health, Food and Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Local Governance and Rural Development, Finance and Economic Planning, and private enterprises, among others. They are to support Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor who at the request of the WFP, is leading the Strategic Review in collaboration with the Nana Addo-led administration.
According to a report by Daily Guide, the Board is expected to review and approve the final report which is to be released in May this year while the Technical Team will provide analytical and other support to the review process.
The CEO of the Kufuor Foundation, Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah indicated that the report will help the government and donor partners to formulate policies which will ensure that the Ghana’s food production is linked to improved nutrition.
“The whole idea is not just to fight hunger but also to ensure that the food we eat is nutritious to give us the necessary nutrients to develop in a proper way,” Prof. Baffour indicated.
Prior to the Zero Hunger Strategic Review project launch, the Kufuor Foundation had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Millennium Promise Alliance earlier in January; still with the aim of reducing hunger in Ghana. This is to correct the finding of the World Food Program which revealed that “only 1 out of 3 children suffering from malnutrition receive adequate medical attention while 24 percent of all child mortality cases in Ghana are associated with under-nutrition”.
Kufuor Foundation is Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 2010 by former president John Agyekum Kufuor and located at 9 Sixth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana.
The Foundation is an independent and nonprofit institution dedicated to the promotion and sustainability of Ghana and Africa’s development. It is inspired by the founder’s passion for practical and sustainable development and aims at advancing effective leadership, good governance and socioeconomic development.
The JAK Foundation is known for the quote – “Unless you transform the lives of ordinary people, you cannot hope to transform Africa”. In furtherance of its objectives, JAKF seeks collaboration and strategic partnerships with public and private institutions, civil society organizations, as well as international development partners in program initiation and implementation.
