Global Panel on Agriculture to hold first Africa meeting in Ghana

The Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition will hold its first meeting in Africa in Ghana.

Speaking to journalists in Accra, Wednesday August 12, 2015, Prof. Sandy Thomas of the Panel, said the Panel was coming to Ghana on the invitation of former President John Kufuor under the auspices of the Kufuor Foundation. Mr. Kufuor is a Panel Co-Chair of the body.

Prof. Thomas who is in the country to hold stakeholder meetings said this would be the third meeting of the Panel.

“I am here to listen to Ghanaian ideas, visions and priorities to help identify where Global Panel should focus its discussions.

I have been struck on every occasion by the high level of expertise and commitment to enhancing nutrition outcomes in Ghana and in some cases Africa as a whole,” she said.

The Panel was established in 2013 to tackle global challenges in foods and nutirition security. Among others, it is working to ensure that agriculture and food systems support access to nutritious foods at every stage of life, she said.

“We believe nutrition is not just about feeding people. It is about fueling growth – the growth of individuals and communities and the flourishing of entire nations,” she said.

The 12-member Panel is co-Chaired by Sir John Beddington and Mr. John Kufuor.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi