Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield delivering keynote in Accra on 'Vision for Peace and Progress on Food Security'Accra — Good afternoon. I want to start by thanking Pro Vice Chancellor Asante for that kind introduction and to say how delighted I am to be here at the University of Ghana.
Sixty-five years ago, a group of esteemed Americans visited Ghana to mark its independence. In particular, two personal heroes of mine, two African American men, came to see the Union Jack come down. Both men were civil rights activists. One had won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, and the other would win that prize several years later. They both identified with Ghana's struggle for freedom, independence, dignity, and sovereignty.
I am also calling attention to the 65th anniversary of your independence, and of Ralph Bunche and Dr. King's visit, because I am here today to talk about the connection between food, peace, and prosperity. And both Bunche and King understood that connection better than anyone. But right now, the world does not have peace because of persistent and pernicious conflicts, yes, but also because rice and bread are not reaching hungry people around the globe. I have worked on humanitarian causes for nearly 40 years. And today, despite all the modern tools we have at our disposal, we're experiencing the worst – let me repeat – the worst global food security crisis I have ever seen. This is an emergency.
Let's start with energy. Energy prices have gone up in the past year – anyone who has to regularly fill up their gas tank or pay an electric bill knows this all too well. The reasons are complex and interrelated – such as supply chain issues, climate change – but the result is clear: rising energy prices. Plus, Russia's manipulation of gas flows is now further spiking prices.
I was in Uganda yesterday and I was briefed on the flash floods and landslides in the east, which left hundreds homeless.Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield Announcing $20 Million in Development Assistance in Uganda Amid a Global Food Crisis Think of all the technological advancements we've had over the past 60 years. How much better we've gotten at growing and harvesting foods. And yet, according to the UN, agricultural productivity growth here in Africa has gone down – it has gone down over the past 30 years by more than a third because of climate change.