It is said that a hungry man is an angry man—but a hungry nation? That’s a crisis waiting to happen.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana believes it’s time to take food security seriously, warning that Ghana cannot reset its economy when millions of people struggle to afford their next meal. Simply put, development on an empty stomach is like trying to build a skyscraper on quicksand—it won’t stand.
At the heart of the TUC’s proposal is a call to industrialize agriculture to ensure year-round food availability, reduce inflationary pressures on food prices, and provide a steady supply of raw materials for local industries.
The union warns that Ghana’s economic reset will remain fragile unless the country prioritizes food self-sufficiency and reduces its reliance on food imports, which continue to drain foreign exchange reserves.
Agriculture as the Foundation for Industrialization
According to the TUC, Ghana’s agricultural sector remains largely subsistence-based, with most farmers cultivating small parcels of land using traditional methods such as cutlasses and hoes. The overreliance on rainfall, coupled with inadequate storage facilities and poor transportation networks, leads to significant post-harvest losses and volatile food supplies.
The situation has worsened food insecurity, with the number of food-insecure Ghanaians increasing from 2.1 million between 2014 and 2016 to 2.5 million between 2017 and 2019. Alarmingly, food costs continue to dominate household expenditures, accounting for about 45% of total spending, leaving low-income families highly vulnerable to price shocks.
To reverse these trends, the TUC insists that government intervention is essential. “Modern agriculture has never been profitable on its own due to the high economic risks involved. Advanced economies heavily subsidize their farmers, and Ghana must do the same,” the union stressed.
Government’s Role in Agricultural Revival
The TUC is advocating for substantial government investment in modern farming technologies, including improved seeds, irrigation systems, agrochemicals, and advanced agronomic practices. Additionally, it calls for cooperative farming schemes that would allow smallholder farmers to transition into large-scale commercial agriculture.
Industrializing agriculture would also require investment in agro-processing, storage infrastructure, and efficient transportation systems to move food from rural production areas to urban markets. The union believes that reducing post-harvest losses and increasing domestic food production will not only lower food inflation but also improve national nutrition levels, enhancing workforce productivity and overall economic growth.
Tackling Malnutrition for Economic Growth
The TUC warns that inadequate nutrition among Ghana’s population is slowing the country’s economic potential. Malnutrition, particularly in children, has long-term consequences such as stunted growth, lower intelligence levels, reduced productivity in adulthood, and an increased risk of poverty.
“If we do not address the root causes of food insecurity and undernutrition, we will continue to suffer from poor human development outcomes, low economic growth, and persistent poverty,” the union cautioned.
