Minister calls for concerted efforts to fight hunger

Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - Mr Nii Armah Ashittey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, at the weekend challenged civil society and non- governmental organisations and the Media to create awareness about hunger and the need to control or eliminate it.

He said factors such as low productivity, drastic rural- urban migration, less investment in agricultural research and development in the developing countries as well as population growth rate have deepened the plight of hunger on humanity.

Mr Ashittey made this remarks when he addressed the 30th observance of the World Food Day, on the theme: 93United Against Hunger," in Accra.

He said hunger is caused by natural disasters, conflicts, poverty, poor agricultural infrastructure and over exploitation of the environment.

"In recent times, financial and economic crises have also contributed in pushing more people into hunger."

Mr Ashittey said government is approaching the food security issue by simultaneously dealing with food availability, responses to crises situations and nutritional problems.

He said the national focus is on food production, strategic reserve of agricultural produce, trade, access to food, economic growth and income.

Mr Musa Saihou Mbenga, Country Director, Food and Agriculture Organisation, noted that the organisation and other United Nations agencies in the country are involved in the preparation of a new United Nations Development Assistance framework for 2012 to 2016.

The framework will seek to support the government in its quest to achieve a middle income country with agriculture playing a vital role.

He expressed the organisations commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the harmonisation of efforts to attain the common goal of eliminating hunger and poverty.