Background

USAID's Food for Peace (FFP) program focuses on reducing food insecurity in Ghana, especially in the north where the country's most vulnerable population resides. The donated food is divided between commodities that are monetized (sold on the local market) to generate funds to support sustainable development projects and food that is used for direct feeding. USAID/Ghana started phasing-out its food aid program in 2006 and will complete the process by September 2010.

USAID/Ghana Food for Peace activities include:

Increasing agricultural production and income for poor farmers: USAID trains and supports rural farmers to use high yielding seeds to increase production. USAID also facilitates farmers' access to inputs and extension services, and supports them to build improved local silos/cribs to reduce post harvest losses.

Increasing access to safe water: USAID supports rural communities to dig wells and boreholes to increase access to safe water. Rain water harvesting systems are also encouraged in some areas. Community members are trained to form committees to manage water and sanitation activities in their communities.

Improving access to care and support for the highly vulnerable: USAID provides food items to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs), AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children, helping them to lead their lives with dignity. USAID also organizes associations of PLWHAs, orphans and vulnerable children groups to provide them basic care and psychosocial and/or educational support.

Key achievements in 2008 include:

• Improved yam storage facilities built in northern Ghana have reduced post-harvest loss caused by rot, bushfires, as well as rodent and pest attacks, and allowed farmers to store yams far beyond the traditional period of three months. In addition, the shelters have created a market linkage between the rural farmers and bulk buyers of yam, and empowered the farmers to sell their yams in the lean season for higher and more competitive prices.

• More than 5,600 rural people gained access to safe water with the drilling of 14 boreholes. The provision of this facility also enhanced the expansion of a small-scale food processing industry in the benefiting communities.

• USAID's nutrition-focused outreach programs reached 32,000 children, particularly in the northern regions.