Food insecurity, poverty and unemployment affect over 227,000 Ghanaians – GSS

Despite a national decline in severe food insecurity from 5.1% in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025 to 4.6% in the third quarter (Q3), the number of Ghanaians facing multiple layers of vulnerability continues to rise.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) show that 227, 519 people were simultaneously food insecure, multidimensionally poor, and unemployed in Q3 2025. This represents an increase of 19,455 people from the 208,064 recorded in Q2, translating into a 9.4% rise within just one quarter.

Meanwhile, the number of Ghanaians classified as only food insecure peaked in Q2 2025 at 4,072,199, highlighting the scale of food access challenges even beyond cases of extreme vulnerability.

The report further points to persistent gender and geographic disparities. Severe food insecurity among rural female-headed households peaked at 8.1%, underscoring the disproportionate burden borne by women in rural communities.

These trends emerge at a critical moment as Ghana intensifies efforts to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

Although the country is recording improved macroeconomic performance across key sectors, the benefits of this growth are not being evenly felt across the population.

Analysts warn that without targeted policy responses, the growing number of households facing overlapping vulnerabilities could undermine progress in food security, poverty reduction, and the creation of decent livelihoods nationwide.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu called for more focused interventions, urging authorities to move away from blanket policies.

“Target high-burden regions with tailored food security, agricultural, and market-access solutions instead of one-size-fits-all approaches.”