Trade Barriers Thwart African Food Production, Warns World Bank

Development experts say large regional markets could boost Africa’s food production and improve efficiency by providing economies of scale.

But a number of trade barriers and restrictions are holding that dream in check.  They keep the cost of food high for consumers and the price of yield-boosting fertilizers and seeds beyond the reach of small farmers.  The World Bank says among those worse affected are landlocked countries like Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and Uganda, where prices may be 20 times higher than coastal states. >>> more

Ghana among countries improving business regulations for local firms - World Bank

A new report has observed that most African economies are making consistent progress in improving business regulations.

The World Bank-IFC report released October 23, 2012 finds that of the 50 economies making the most improvement in business regulation for domestic firms since 2005, 17 are in sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana was included in the list despite slipping to 64th position in the global doing business rankings.>>>more

Ghana : Beware of the Economic Partnership Agreements.

Mr Tetteh Hormeku, Head of Programmes, Third World Network - Ghana, has urged African governments to be wary of the European Union's agenda to perpetuate and deepen liberalization through the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). >>>  more

Is the EPA really a beneficial agreement?

The truth is that the EPAs are not as much about the interests of sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean or the Pacific countries as it is about Europe becoming more economically competitive. The EPAs are about finding market for European products, having access to cheaper raw materials from Africa and being able to compete with China, India and recently Brazil in the African market. >>> more

Is EPA safe?

On December 13, 2007, the European Commission initialized a stepping stone, Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) with Ghana. The agreement according to them will enable Ghana to benefit significantly from improved market access to the European Union.  >>>more

Ghana : Climate Change and Food Security

An increased body of evidence shows that climatic variability is  adversely affecting Ghana’s natural resources such as land, water, forests and vegetation, as well as human capital.

Climate change is, therefore, expected to have significant impact on key resource-dependant sectors, such as agriculture and food production, and consequently on food security.

Food security is under threat from unpredictable changes in rainfall and more frequent extreme weather.

FOOD INSECURITY

Recent statistics show that a total of 1.2 million Ghanaians are with limited access to sufficient and nutritious food throughout the year, whiles another 2 million are at risk or becoming food insecure during the lean season or at the onset of a natural or man-made disaster.>>> continue >>>

Ensuring Food Security For Ghanaians

Food security is one of the most relevant things that every nation should be conscious of and prioritize it to a mechanism to tackle the unforeseen situation as far as food security is concerned. Many countries have failed to tackle this particular issue with great concerned and as a result of that keep battling with the consequences.


Specifically, Africa has been one of the continent battling with this situation and has an increasing population increasing every time and then. Food security itself exists when all people, at all times have access to safe and nutritional food at affordable prices to meet their dietary and food preference for an active and wealthy life.>>>more>>>