€1m UN project for Upper East, West regions launched

A one Million euro United Nations (UN) Joint Project on enhancing food security, nutrition and the resilience of communities has been launched in the Upper East and Upper West regions.

The 18-month project is intended to build the resilience of the most food-insecure and vulnerable host communities and asylum seekers currently residing in some communities in both regions.

It is being funded by the Government of France under its Food Assistance Programme (FAP), which is in line with the Gulf of Guinea Joint Response Plan for Ghana.

It aims to address food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as build the resilience of vulnerable asylum seekers and host communities by integrating livelihood strengthening, prevention and treatment of malnutrition.

The project, which is being implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), also aims to roll out social and behaviour change interventions for the adoption of positive health and nutrition lifestyles.

Working together

At the official launch of the project in Bolgatanga last Thursday, September 26, 2024, the UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, said it was important to work with the host communities and asylum seekers, especially in the concept of integrating them.

He said the move marked an important milestone in their collective effort to address the most pressing challenges of food security in the two regions, saying, “This initiative seeks to improve the lives of the most affected, particularly women, children, adolescent girls and children below two years”.

“This intervention is a testament to the power of collaboration between all the key stakeholders to achieve the objectives set out for the project,” he said, adding that it also signified the shared commitment towards uplifting the most vulnerable in the host communities and working to integrate them.

Food insecurity

He stated that the Upper East and Upper West regions were severely impacted by food insecurity due to factors around climate change, drought, flood and non-affordability of nutritious foods, among others.

“This situation has been worsened by the instability in the Sahel Region, especially happenings in Burkina Faso, forcing thousands of asylum seekers to cross the border into Ghana to seek refuge,” he added.

Giving statistics, he mentioned that as of March 2023, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, had recorded over 15,000 asylum seekers in both regions, which is projected to reach 28,000 by the end of 2024.

The Resident Coordinator said the influx of Burkinabes in Ghana had placed immense pressure on the already fragile host communities, leading to issues of malnutrition, especially stunting and anaemia.

While commending the Government of France for the support, he said the joint programme was designed to address the critical challenges by focusing on the most insecure population in the host communities as a result of the presence of the Burkina Faso nationals.

Renewed commitment 

The Political Counsellor of the French Embassy in Ghana, Christine Battesi, said the focus of the project was on vulnerable, pregnant and breastfeeding women, together with adolescent girls and children below 24 months.

She indicated that food security was not only about nutrition but a cornerstone of health, education and economic stability. 

She added that the project was a reflection of their renewed commitment to ensuring food security, nutrition and the overall well-being of asylum seekers and residents in the host communities. 

She further lauded the host communities for wholeheartedly welcoming the asylum seekers, despite the risk associated with it.

No secret

The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, said it was no secret that the impacts of climate change, economic hardship and social instability had disproportionately affected those who were already marginalised such as women, children and displaced populations.

“We do recognise that nutrition is not only a basic right but a critical pillar in the foundation of sustainable development,” he said, adding that food security was not merely about sustenance but rather about dignity, health and the ability to thrive.

  Writer's email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh.