Although Ghana recorded a slight reduction in extreme food deprivation—from 5.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 to 4.6 per cent in the third quarter—the number of people experiencing compounded forms of hardship continues to increase.

Figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reveal that in Q3 2025, a total of 227,519 individuals were affected simultaneously by food shortages, multidimensional poverty and unemployment. This marks an increase of 19,455 people compared to the 208,064 recorded in the previous quarter, representing a 9.4 per cent rise over a three-month period.

At the same time, the population facing food insecurity alone reached its highest point in Q2 2025, with more than 4 million people affected, illustrating the widespread nature of challenges related to access to food beyond the most vulnerable groups.

The data also highlight ongoing inequalities linked to gender and location. Female-headed households in rural areas recorded the highest levels of severe food insecurity, peaking at 8.1 per cent, pointing to the heightened risks faced by women outside urban centres.

These developments come as Ghana steps up efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly the target of eliminating hunger. While broader economic indicators show signs of recovery, the gains are not being shared evenly across society.

Experts caution that without well-targeted and inclusive interventions, the rise in households dealing with multiple disadvantages could slow progress on food security, poverty reduction and employment creation.

Addressing the media in Accra, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu urged policymakers to adopt more precise and tailored measures, stressing that broad, one-size-fits-all approaches will not effectively address the complex challenges facing vulnerable populations.