The convenor of Ghana’s Chapter of the Africa Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN), Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has issued a clarion call to individual member states, urging a comprehensive and collaborative approach in engaging all stakeholders along the agricultural value chain to mitigate the scourge of food insecurity.
Addressing participants at the African Parliamentary Retreat themed ‘Enhancing the Role of Parliamentarians in Transforming Africa’s Agri-Food Systems’ in Malawi, Dr. Jasaw emphasized the pivotal role of the network in spearheading initiatives aimed at enhancing food system resilience across the continent.
“Undoubtedly, the threats of food insecurity continue to surge around the African continent. Individual member states need to consciously employ a multifaceted approach in engaging all actors along the value chain to help address this menace.”
He highlighted AFSPaN’s organizational structure and outlined its key focus areas, emphasizing its commitment to driving tangible improvements in food security within member states.
Furthermore, Dr. Jasaw underscored the significant role of national chapters in advocating for evidence-based solutions to bolster intra-African trade, curtail imports, and bolster nutritional outcomes. He emphasized the imperative of employing a multifaceted strategy to tackle the escalating threat of food insecurity across Africa.
As a member of the Global Steering Committee of AFSPaN, Dr. Jasaw provided insights into the initiatives undertaken by the Ghana Chapter, including multi-stakeholder dialogues in the agricultural and fishing sectors to prioritize actionable issues. AFSPaN serves as a collaborative platform for elected MPs from participating countries, aligning with existing legislative frameworks to advance the objectives of the African Union’s Agri-food system transformation agenda and UN-SDGs.
Highlighting the prevalent challenges, Dr. Jasaw emphasized the need for enhanced ownership and comprehension of evidence-based practices among elected MPs, underscoring the absence of a formal legislative pathway to influence policy within existing structures.
The three-day programme aimed to mobilize parliamentary support for inclusive agri-food system transformation, foster peer learning, strengthen capacity building, and forge collaborations between parliamentarians and non-state actors to advocate for the implementation of food systems pathways.
Organized by the Parliament of Malawi in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Trust Africa, Care International, Policy Link, and other stakeholders, the retreat provided a platform for robust discussions and strategic partnerships to drive agricultural transformation in line with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Since its inception in 2003, CAADP has been instrumental in catalyzing agricultural development across the continent, mandating African Union members to allocate at least 10 percent of their GDP to agriculture.
