Spatial patterns of urban food security in Accra, Ghana: A geographic analysis of household hunger in an African city

Food is a sine qua non of human life. Yet, tragically, for an increasing proportion of the world's population, it has become unaffordable. Rapid rates of urban population growth over the past twenty years have yielded higher numbers of undernourished urban households. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 40% of the population lives in cities, with 72% of those living in impoverished slums or slum-like conditions. As cities continue to grow rapidly and become home to higher concentrations of people, the need for disaggregated figures which can improve our knowledge of population, health and environment issues have become a priority. This study examined intra-urban patterns of food insecurity in Accra, the capital city of Ghana in West Africa. Mixed methods were used to determine the underlying socio-economic, environmental, and spatial predictors of urban household food insecurity. In a novel approach, this study integrated survey and remote sensing data to map the distribution of food insecurity in Accra and determine significant predictor variables. Results were then compared with and interpreted by qualitative data derived from in-depth household interviews. Questions explored household demographics, health, socio-economic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes about food consumption, household distribution and hygiene, and economic security. The results of this study diverged from traditional rural-based food security research. Factors influencing household food security were quintessentially urban and included data derived from the satellite imagery. Geographic factors emerged as critical to household wellbeing. Families living in neighborhoods serviced by fresh food markets were better nourished regardless of socio-economic status. The results substantiate the role of neighborhood environments in regards to food security. Implications for policy include the need to engage urban planners when designing food policy. Tailoring food programs for urban areas of the developing world such as Accra would be a wise and worthwhile strategy for decision makers, at a time when most of the world is urbanized and when pressure on agricultural resources is intensified.