{
  "id": 12619366,
  "title": "FAO urges innovation, technology to strengthen Ghana’s food security",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/fao-urges-innovation-technology-to-strengthen-ghanas-food-security",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T11:42:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/fao-urges-innovation-technology-to-strengthen-ghanas-food-security/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) has urged greater utilization of innovation, research, and technology to bolster Ghana's food security and diminish its dependence on imported food items. This call was made during a media briefing in Accra, in preparation for the upcoming World Food Day 2026, with the theme \"Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.\"\n\nDr. Meshack Malo, the FAO Representative in Ghana, highlighted the potential for young people to devise solutions to Ghana's food security challenges. He emphasized that the country currently imports significant quantities of commodities like tomatoes and chicken, urging the use of science and technology to bolster local production. \"The agriculture sector presents hope, but we are convinced that through leveraging science, technology, and AI, we can enhance this sector to nourish tomorrow,\" Dr. Malo stated.\n\nDr. Gloria Folson, the Head of the Department of Nutrition, Diet and Metabolic Sciences at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, shed light on the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in nutrition research. She mentioned that researchers are pioneering the use of AI for dietary assessment. Dr. Folson confirmed that a validation study of the FRANI mobile app has shown AI's capability to accurately estimate nutrient intake among school-age children and adolescent girls aged 10 to 19.\n\nChef Joseph Wilson-Tetteh, President of the Hospitality Alliance of Ghana, advocated for sustainable food practices to minimize waste and maximize the value of locally available food. He proposed learning from countries where discarded food parts are incorporated into meals. \"Why can't we also apply sustainable practices and reduce waste?\" Chef Wilson-Tetteh questioned, citing examples of how chicken, fish, and other discarded foods in Ghana are valued in other cultures. The speakers emphasized the need for increased collaboration among government entities, researchers, businesses, and young innovators to foster sustainable food production, enhance nutrition, and construct a more resilient food system for Ghana and Africa.",
  "summary": "The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) is calling for greater use of innovation, research and technology to strengthen Ghana’s food security and reduce the country’s reliance on imported food commodities. The call was made at a media briefing in Accra to mark the upcoming World Food Day 2026, under the […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Joy Business",
        "title": "FAO urges innovation, technology to strengthen Ghana’s food security",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/fao-urges-innovation-technology-to-strengthen-ghanas-food-security-12621824",
        "published": "2026-10-07T11:42:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}