By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Welthungerhilfe, in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, officially launched the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) on Thursday 20th February, 2025 at the Bintumani Hotel Conference Hall on Aberdeen in Freetown. Themed: “How Gender Justice Can Advance Climate Resilience and Zero Hunger,” the event gathered key stakeholders, Government officials and development partners to discuss Sierra Leone’s hunger situation within the global context and explore solutions.
The Global Hunger Index (GHI), a comprehensive tool for measuring and tracking hunger globally, evaluates countries based on four key indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality. These metrics offer a multidimensional perspective on food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide.
Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Saa Hemore acknowledged the country’s GHI score of 31.2, classified as serious. He noted that while this figure underscores significant challenges, it also reflects progress; down from a score of 57 two decades ago. He credited this improvement to increased local food production, targeted nutrition programs and enhanced food security initiatives.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the “Feed Salone” program, spearheaded by President Julius Maada Bio, as a key strategy in combating hunger. Saa Hemore said efforts under the initiative include increased agricultural productivity, expanded irrigation, improved seed distribution and the development of rural infrastructure such as feeder roads and bridges to minimize post-harvest losses. He also emphasized Government-backed credit lines for agribusinesses, aimed at reducing dependency on food imports and ensuring sustainable nutrition security.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of tackling undernutrition, particularly among children, through an expanded school feeding program that incorporates locally sourced, nutrient-rich produce. He reiterated that addressing hunger requires a holistic approach, involving diverse but interconnected strategies.
Emmanuel Octave Bananeza, Country Director of Welthungerhilfe, reaffirmed the urgency of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030, as set by global development goals. He emphasized that gender justice plays a vital role in building climate resilience and ensuring food security.
“Africa has enormous agricultural potential, yet many of its countries still suffer from severe hunger. Women’s involvement in agriculture and food systems transformation is crucial. Gender-inclusive policies and programs must be at the heart of our hunger eradication efforts,” he stated.
He added that the GHI is not meant as a critique but as an assessment tool to highlight progress and encourage action. By tracking data over the years 2000, 2008, 2016, and 2024, the index provides valuable insights into trends and areas requiring urgent intervention, he maintained.
Sarah Cundy, Program Director at Concern Worldwide, provided a Sierra Leone-specific analysis of the Global Hunger Index, reinforcing the role of gender justice in achieving climate resilience and sustainable development. She stressed the need for equitable resource distribution, greater inclusion of women in decision-making and community-driven approaches to tackling food insecurity.
“Sierra Leone has made significant strides, but food security remains fragile, affected by inequalities in geography, gender and socio-economic status,” Sarah Cundy noted. She emphasized the necessity of addressing these disparities to ensure long-term progress in reducing hunger and malnutrition.
The event also highlighted collaborative efforts between the Government and international organizations. Concern Worldwide and its partners work alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to foster knowledge sharing, policy coordination and collective action to combat hunger.
As discussions concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to achieving food security and resilience in Sierra Leone. They called for sustained investment in agriculture, gender-responsive policies and stronger partnerships between Government institutions, development organizations and local communities.
With the 2024 Global Hunger Index serving as a guide, the launch event underscored the need for urgent, inclusive and coordinated efforts to address hunger and build a more food-secure future for Sierra Leone.
