FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN WEST GONJA MUNICIPAL IN GHANA

Abstract

This study assessed the security of West Gonja Municipality’s food and nutrition. Food and nutrition security (FNS) is a critical indicator of a population's well-being and development. The West Gonja Municipal, located in the Savannah region of Ghana, faces numerous challenges related to food availability, access, utilization, and stability. This study employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating quantitative data from household surveys and qualitative insights from interviewing critical informants and discussing with focus groups. About 67% of the study’s participants were found to be severely food insecure while only 2% were food secure. The FNS status varied with socioeconomic characteristics of the households. There was an inverse association between FNS status and size of households. Larger households most likely had lower FNS status than smaller households. Educational status greatly influenced households’ FNS. More households with basic and informal education experienced more food insecurity compared to those with comparatively higher education such as senior high, technical/vocational and tertiary. Gender influenced households’ FNS status. The study’s findings indicated that as the severity of FNS increased, the percentage gap between women and men affected widened. The percentage of women who were severely food insecure stood at 40% as against 27% for men. Households in the West Gonja Municipal employed several coping strategies to mitigate food shortages. Majority of them (95%) reported depending on cheap and less patronized food, and 92% said they borrowed to get food. Skipping meals, restricting portion size of meals and limiting adult intake in favour of children were also practised by 85%, 87% and 65% of respondents respectively. A greater percentage (76%) of respondents indicated they would skip eating for whole days as a last resort. Rising food prices, Covid-19 at the time of the study, climate change, poverty, gender inequality, conflicts and political instability, food waste and loss, poor access to land, and prolific population growth were the major factors identified as challenges to FNS. The research also underscored the significance of multisectoral collaboration, involving government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and related stakeholders including chiefs, queen mothers, market queens, food vendor, and farmers in the course of achieving FNS in the West Gonja Municipal. Strengthening recommended agricultural practices, promoting recommended market linkages, and disseminating recommended nutrition education are also recommended for enhanced food and nutrition security in the West Gonja Municipal.