COVID-19, Agriculture and Food Security in Ghana; The Way Forward

Abstract

Food production, its availability and accessibility will continue to be a key contributor to human existence. The world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020 and its effect trickled to reduced production in many industries across the globe. Understanding effects of the pandemic in Ghana triggered 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 questionnaire administrations. Across the globe, agricultural production experienced a reduction which phased into food security and its pricing. This was not limited to the extremely affected countries, but also, in countries were COVID-19 infections were low, agriculture, food security and its pricing experienced negative impacts. One key limiting factor that spiked the challenge in the agricultural sector was that reduced availability of labour for production. In many leading food producing countries, the challenge become 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 that, 77.4% of Ghanaians in a study conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service 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 policy makers as well as individual and governmental strategies that are been put in place to curb adverse effects on food production. This will help enhance Ghanaians standards of living amidst economic challenges.