Left: Prof Marian Asantewah Nkansah
Right: Mr. Emmanuel Fiagbey
Ghana’s average food waste stands at 84 kilograms per person each year, exceeding the global average of 74 kilograms (UNEP, 2024), and poses serious environmental, economic, and public health concerns. This concern was raised by Prof. Marian Asantewah Nkansah, FGA, an Environmental Chemist and Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, during a public engagement to mark World Health Day. The event was organised by Communications Initiatives for Change (CIC) – Meatless Monday Ghana, under the leadership of Mr. Emmanuel Fiagbey. CIC is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programs, Baltimore, USA. The programme took place on Monday, 29th April 2025, at the Cedi Conference Room of the University of Ghana.
Prof. Nkansah’s presentation centred on the theme “Managing Food Waste to Save the Environment—Our Earth.” She noted that while food loss in Ghana occurs largely during production and distribution, higher-income countries tend to experience waste at the retail and consumer levels. Ghana’s pattern of waste, she explained, has far-reaching consequences, including land degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. These environmental effects are compounded by socio-economic impacts such as rising food insecurity and economic losses.
Drawing on recent data, she reported that Ghana generates over 3.2 million metric tonnes of food waste annually, valued at approximately GH₵762.32 billion (USD 64.6 billion). Losses include 66% of fruits and vegetables, 40% of root crops, and 21% of grains produced in the country (Boso et al., 2024). Without strategic intervention, about 11.7% of the national population—around 3.6 million people—is projected to face food insecurity by 2029.
Prof. Nkansah also addressed waste at the consumer level, particularly in schools and restaurants, which together account for nearly 40% of total food waste. She cited a case study in Kumasi involving 49 restaurants, where each establishment discarded an average of 2.89 kg of food daily. However, through targeted kitchen audits and staff training, these restaurants reduced food waste by 19%—enough to feed over 5,000 people in less than a month.
Beyond food security, she outlined the broader consequences of unmanaged food waste, including public health risks such as the proliferation of pests and the spread of foodborne illnesses. She added that in urban centres, where waste collection and disposal are often inadequate, these risks are amplified.
At the same time, Prof. Nkansah underscored the potential value of food waste if properly harnessed. Organic waste, she noted, can be converted into compost or used in the production of biogas and green hydrogen, supporting Ghana’s energy transition and climate resilience goals.
Key Impacts and Recommendations from Prof. Nkansah’s Address
Impacts of Food Waste in Ghana:
- Annual food waste exceeds 3.2 million metric tonnes (GH₵762.32 billion in value).
- Ghana’s per capita food waste (84 kg/year) exceeds global average (74 kg/year).
- 11.7% of the population projected to be food insecure by 2029.
- Environmental costs include land degradation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss.
- Health risks involve pest infestations and foodborne diseases.
- Food waste contributes to climate change via methane emissions.
Recommendations for Stakeholders:
- Individuals & Food Services: Avoid overbuying, improve food storage, and practice composting.
- Restaurants & Schools: Conduct food audits and train staff to minimise kitchen and plate waste.
- Government & Policymakers: Enact supportive legislation and create incentives for innovation in food recovery and recycling.
- Value Chain Actors: Strengthen collaboration across farming, transport, processing, and market systems to reduce losses at each stage.
- Energy Sector: Invest in technologies that convert organic waste into renewable energy such as biogas and green hydrogen.
In highlighting these issues, Prof. Nkansah reinforced the importance of science-based advocacy in addressing real-world challenges. Her participation reflects the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences’ broader commitment to engaging the public on issues of national concern, especially where they intersect with science, sustainability, and health.
