As part of the efforts to nip the threat of food insecurity in the bud, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in partnership with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), is set to roll out a crucial survey to collect critical data to inform policies.
This study, dubbed Mobile Vulnerability Analysis Mapping (mVAM) seeks to better understand how and why Ghanaians wake up to frequently witness the price of kenkey going up or walk through the market only to discover that basic items like maize, gari, and tomatoes are more expensive than the week before.
Through this survey, over the next four months, officials will track food access, nutrition, and market dynamics in real time across the country.
A statement released by the Ghana Statistical Service emphasised that the survey, which will reach 12,000 households, uses simple phone interviews, lasting no more than a few minutes, to collect vital information on how families are coping with food prices, availability, and nutrition.
To be conducted for 30 days each month, the mVAM will provide up-to-date data that policymakers and humanitarian agencies can rely on when making urgent decisions.
“The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), has launched a four-month mobile survey aimed at enhancing real-time monitoring of food security across Ghana. Through 12,000 targeted interviews, the initiative will collect timely data on household food access, nutritional status, and market dynamics. The survey will run for 30 days each month throughout the duration of the project,” the GSS said.
Among other things, the purpose is to identify vulnerable populations before their situation worsens, and to track how shocks such as inflation, climate change, or supply chain disruptions affect ordinary households.
For instance, if floods destroy farmlands in the Upper East, mVAM data can quickly alert authorities to provide support rather than waiting months for official surveys.
Moreover, for everyday Ghanaians, this means their voices can directly influence national food policies. Participation is free, and respondents are assured that their information will remain confidential. Importantly, GSS interviewers will never ask for money, gifts, or banking details.
“The primary goal of the mVAM Survey is to track changes in food security, identify vulnerable populations, and track market dynamics in real time. The insights gathered will inform national policy and guide targeted interventions for communities at risk. By understanding these evolving trends, the Government of Ghana, WFP, and stakeholders can more effectively respond to challenges such as inflation, climate shocks, and supply chain disruptions,” part of the statement read.
Food insecurity continues to be a threat to Africa, including Ghana. Availability and prices continue to be a challenge. Given this challenge, the mVAM survey could prove to be a lifeline. If successful, it will offer policymakers a window into real-time household struggles, ensuring that solutions are not just well-meaning but well-timed.
The GSS says all selected households are urged to actively participate in this important national exercise, as contributions are vital to shaping effective food security programmes.
