Held on the theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future" it also marked FAO’s 80th anniversary yesterday in Accra.

The ceremony featured solidarity messages and climaxed with hoisting of flags - the Ghana national flag and the United Nations flag to symbolise the celebration of the day across the world.

It brought together dignitaries and representatives from the United Nations in Ghana, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Greater Accra Regional Council, development partners, the Diplomatic Corps and farming organisations.

Transformation

In a keynote address, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, emphasised that collaboration and innovation were the foundation for transforming Ghana’s agri-food systems to ensure food security, climate resilience and inclusive economic growth.

He outlined the government's flagship Feed Ghana Programme, which aimed to boost productivity, reduce food imports, create jobs and empower youth and women through targeted value chains, mechanisation, irrigation and digital agriculture.

He said the programme aligned closely with FAO’s global Hand-in-Hand Initiative, integrating public-private partnerships, institutional farming and community-based cooperatives to scale sustainable agriculture.

He reiterated that food was a human right and achieving national food self-sufficiency required coordinated, innovative action at all levels.

"This year's global message also reminds us that collaboration and innovation are the bedrock of transformation.

We must build strong partnerships with universities, research institutions, and the private sector to drive agricultural innovation, supported by FAO's global expertise in emerging technologies and its commitment to ethical, inclusive and data-driven agriculture," he said. 

Hunger-free-world

The FAO Country Representative to Ghana, Priya Gujadhur, emphasised the enduring importance of global solidarity and collaboration in building a hunger-free world.

Reflecting on FAO's historic achievements, including the eradication of rinderpest and setting global food safety standards, she noted that while much progress had been made, significant challenges remained, such as hunger, climate change, high input costs and limited access to markets as well as finance for farmers.

She highlighted FAO's ongoing work in Ghana, including partnerships with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, in areas such as sustainable cocoa agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, fisheries development, early warning systems and empowerment of youth and women in agribusiness.

She called on all stakeholders — governments, private sector, development partners, and citizens — to act decisively and collectively, echoing the 2025 theme: “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.”

"As FAO turns 80 today, we reaffirm our commitment to working hand-in-hand with all partners in Ghana to accelerate progress towards zero hunger, ensure decent livelihoods for farmers and protect our environment for generations to come."

"Let's remember that a food-secure future will not be handed to us. It must be built by us through the choices that we make, the partnerships that we forge and the determination that we bring," she said.

Gender balance

The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr Zia Choudhury, called for greater gender balance, stronger support for youth and women, and increased awareness of the full journey behind every meal.

He urged stakeholders to work together so that every child in Ghana enjoyed the right to adequate, nutritious food — not as a privilege, but as a fundamental human right.

He emphasised the importance of acknowledging the often unseen struggles behind the food we enjoy — from fish smokers exposed to health hazards, to yam farmers facing poor prices due to storage and transport challenges, and market vendors working in difficult conditions.

Secretary's message

Delivering the message on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, Mr Choudhury highlighted that although the world had made strides in food security since FAO’s founding 80 years ago, 673 million people still went to bed hungry.

The Secretary-General’s message emphasised that global food systems remained vulnerable to conflicts, climate shocks, inequality, and hunger was even being used as a weapon in some regions.

He added that the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future” was a global call for solidarity to build resilient, inclusive food systems that nourished people and protected the planet.

"We have the tools, knowledge and resources to end hunger and provide good, healthy food for all.

What we need is unity.

Today, around the world, 673 million people still go to bed hungry every night."