Proposal for CIDA program's food security strategy for northern Ghana

A new Country Programming Framework (CPF) has been recently approved to guide development assistance to Ghana over the period of the next 5 years. Chronic and severe food insecurity and malnutrition have been identified as major challenges to basic human needs, especially among poor and vulnerable groups in the northern rural areas of the country. The Framework also notes the fundamental importance of agriculture to economic growth in Ghana and highlights the significant constraints that have resulted in a very poor average growth rate of under 2% for this sector compared to 5% for the economy as a whole since the late 1980s. With population growth currently estimated at 3.1% per annum, national food deficits and food insecurity are certain to increase unless effective ways are found to realize the optimistic goals of the Government of Ghana's Vision 2020 long-term development framework. A strategy to guide programming in food security has been developed in response to the new CPF. The strategy is directed primarily at northern Ghana which is also identified as the geographical concentration under the Framework. For the purposes of this strategy, food security is considered rom three main dimensions: \{adequate availability of food; \{assured access to food, and; \{ proper utilization of food to provide a balanced diet. A key aspect in all of these is sustainability, that is, developing an approach to achieve food security that is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable in the long run. Secondly, given that women are primary caregivers in households and their active role in agricultural activities in northern Ghana, special attention is paid to gender issues to ensure that women and children are key beneficiaries of programming interventions. The food security strategy has been developed in consultation with a variety of stakeholders. Key discussions were held with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Ministry of Local Government (MLG), donors, NGOs, District Assemblies and farmers, during a food security planning mission in February and March 1999. This resulted in a Report on Food Security in Northern Ghana prepared by a Canadian Food Security Advisor. In addition, Ghanaian consultants were contracted to prepare background briefing reports to provide an overview and assessment in the following areas in relation to food security: Macro-Economic, Poverty, Agriculture Policies and Programs; Environmental egradation and Management Issues; and Role and Status of Women, and their Access to Resources. A Participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal was carried out in 15 selected communities in the three northern regions by a team of four researchers from the Crops Research Institute in order to better understand the issues from the perspective of the farmer. The mission and the reports formed the basis for the preparation of the strategy. An Advisory Team at CIDA Head Office also provided ongoing advice on the process for developing the strategy, and reviewed and provided comments on various reports. Finally, the strategy will be discussed with MOFA and MLG to ensure their support and agreement before it is finalized and implemented.