The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), has officially launched the 2025 World Food Day celebrations, urging collective action and partnerships to transform agri-food systems.
This year’s commemoration, observed globally on October 16, is themed “Hand in Hand for Better Food and Better Future.” It emphasizes the importance of unity among governments, institutions, and communities to ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sustainable food for all.
Speaking at the launch held at the FAO Ghana Office, Mr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, Assistant Director-General and FAO Representative for Africa, stressed the shared responsibility of all stakeholders to make food accessible, affordable, and healthy across all nations.
He praised the Government of Ghana for implementing the Feed Ghana Programme, which aims to modernize agriculture through mechanization, create jobs, and reduce food import costs.
“Such national initiatives reflect a strong commitment to food security, economic growth, and social stability, and the FAO stands ready to support this vision,” Mr. Haile-Gabriel stated.
The 2025 celebration also coincides with the 80th anniversary of FAO’s establishment in Rome, Italy. As part of the anniversary, the organization will host the 5th World Food Forum, a global platform that brings together policymakers, researchers, innovators, and investors.
The Forum will focus on three main areas — Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation, and Hand-in-Hand Investment — and will feature a major exhibition themed “From Seeds to Foods.” The exhibition will showcase the journey of food production, from crop diversity and livestock to technology-driven food innovation.
Mr. John Setor Dumelo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, described World Food Day as a call to increase food production and value addition through processing and innovation.
He noted that the Feed Ghana Programme, launched by President Mahama in April 2025, promotes year-round farming, with irrigation as a key focus area.
“We encourage everyone to participate in all-year farming. Efficiency, not land size, is what matters. Some countries with less land produce more because of how effectively they utilize their resources,” Mr. Dumelo emphasized.
