By A. Kapini Atafori
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) will hold the Africa Food Bank Conference 2024 in Accra, Ghana, in 29th January -1st February. The event is organized by GFN and Food for All Africa.
The event, comprising workshops and field visits, will see food banks from 12 African countries participating, culminating in a closing networking event expected to attract attendees, including top government officials, non-profit organizations, corporate entities, and individuals committed to addressing food insecurity in Ghana, and the rest of Africa.
The Africa Food Bank Conference is a significant platform for facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices in the critical areas of food security, hunger relief, and sustainable development.
“We are thrilled to announce Ghana as the host country for the Africa Food Bank Conference 2024. This event will serve as a crucial platform for sharing knowledge, fostering partnerships, and strengthening the collective effort to address food insecurity across Africa,” said Anthony Kitchen, Senior Director of Knowledge Sharing and Field Services at GFN.
According a press release by Mr. Elijah Amoo Addo, the Executive Director of Food for All Africa, the conference is expected to further the opportunity for food banks from across Africa to gather in-person to discuss common themes and challenges facing food banks and learn from the experience and expertise of peers.
The release said the conference would build on the Nairobi (Kenya) gathering in November 2022. As food banking continues to advance in Africa, the organizers look forward to welcoming new GFN members to the Africa food bank community at this event.
It is anticipated that robust conversations, diverse idea sharing, and fostering a greater sense of community amongst food banks on the continent. In addition to conversational sessions at the event hotel, participants will have the opportunity to visit the facilities of Food for All Africa, a member of the GFN Africa Accelerator since 2019, and learn about their programs as part of the main summit agenda.
“We believe that this conference will catalyse positive change and contribute significantly to our ongoing efforts to ensure no one goes to bed hungry in Africa. We invite all stakeholders committed to the fight against hunger to join us in Accra for this impactful event,” stated a spokesperson of Food for All Africa. 
The key highlights of the conference include: Global Perspective: participants will gain insights into global trends, innovations, and successful strategies implemented by food banks worldwide to combat hunger; and Regional Challenges and Solutions: addressing the unique challenges faced by African food banks in ensuring food security and explore region-specific solutions.
The other highpoints are: Collaborative Partnerships: establishing collaborative partnerships, and fostering a united effort to tackle food waste and food insecurity in Africa; and Food Sourcing: focusing on the role of food sourcing in enhancing food distribution, reducing food waste, and improving overall efficiency. In addition, the conference will concentrate on Community Engagement: exploring strategies for engaging local communities, empowering volunteers, and raising awareness about food banking in Africa.
GFN supports community-led solutions to alleviate hunger in over 50 countries. GFN seeks to change the situation in which millions of people in the world struggle to access enough safe and nutritious food, while nearly a third of all food produced is lost or wasted. GFN believes food banks directed by local leaders are key to achieving zero hunger and building resilient food systems.
Food for All Africa is a non-governmental organization that operates West Africa’s first and largest food bank in Ghana by creating efficient and sustainable means of nutrition through food banking, diversity of long-term social development, awareness campaigns and implementation of educational and feeding programs.
