The three-day meeting on the theme: “Partnership. Innovation. Action. Learning,” is focused on strengthening partnerships, driving innovation, scaling up action, and enhancing learning across FAO’s work in Africa.
The event, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of the FAO, brought together more than 150 leaders and technical specialists from across Africa and FAO headquarters.
Alongside the formal sessions, a special photo exhibition on the theme “FAO at 80: 365 Days of Action in Africa” is being held at the meeting venue, showcasing FAO’s achievements on the continent since the organization’s founding in 1945 and looking towards the future.
Mr John Dumelo, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, who opened the meeting on behalf of the Minister, said it captured the urgent need for Africa to move from promise to progress and build on lessons learnt in transforming agrifood systems.
Africa today stands at a critical crossroads, where despite many efforts, the continent remained off track to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 Zero Hunger by 2030.
He said the cascading impacts of conflict, climate change, global pandemics, and economic disruptions had deepened vulnerabilities.
“Yet, at the same time, new opportunities are emerging, opportunities to build on the AU’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026–2035 Strategy, to tap into the projected USD 1 trillion African food market by 2030, and to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for agri-trade growth,” he said.
He said it was clear that no country, no institution, could do this alone; rather, partnerships were no longer optional; they were the only path forward.
He said Ghana was honoured to serve as the host of the FAO Regional Office for Africa in its dynamic capital, Accra, a testament to the deep and enduring partnership between Ghana and the FAO.
Mr Dumelo said the strategic positioning afforded Ghana unparalleled access to global expertise, advanced innovations, and strategic collaborations, significantly enhancing the national efforts to modernize agriculture, strengthen food systems, and drive sustainable rural transformation.
He said FAO, through their offices in Ghana, had been a strong and trusted partner to the Ministry and together, “we have worked to ensure food security by advancing better production, promoting better nutrition, safeguarding a better environment, and supporting a better life for farmers and communities across the country.”
“I applaud FAO for creating a platform like this one that not only allows us to reflect on what we have achieved but also challenges us to rethink how we can work better together,” he added.
He said Ghana was ready to collaborate with the FAO and all partners to lead and to learn to drive the transformation that would secure a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous agricultural future for the nation and Africa.
Mr Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, said the meeting coincided with FAO’s 80th anniversary year, marking eight decades of work to end hunger and transform agrifood systems globally.
He urged participants to harness the momentum FAO had built across the continent.
He said they could serve as a powerful guide defining the dynamic, forward-thinking approach we must embody to effectively serve our member states and achieve our shared goals.
Mr Haile-Gabriel noted that despite complex challenges, FAO had seen commendable progress in Africa, citing deeper partnerships, increased resource mobilization, and growing regional influence.
He highlighted the expansion of the Hand-in-Hand Initiative to 37 African countries, strengthened collaboration with the African Union, and impactful knowledge leadership across issues such as digital agriculture, social protection, and sustainable trade.
Discussions align with FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–31 and the Four Betters of better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The meeting comes at a critical time as Africa grapples with deepening food insecurity, the climate crisis, economic pressures and evolving partnerships.
GNA
