Science Friday Episode 5: Achieving the SDGs 1, 2 & 3: Solution in “Our” Food Basket
On June 5th, 2026, the ScienceFriday lecture, “Achieving the SDGs 1, 2 & 3: Solution in “Our” Food Basket, by Dr. Abena Boakye,
links global (SDGs) and African (Agenda 2063) development goals to local action through indigenous crops. Focusing on SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 3 (Good Health), it highlights egusi—a nutrient-dense, climate-resilient seed from northern Ghana—as a sustainable solution. Community engagement in Chereponi revealed egusi’s vital role in food security, income generation, and child education during the “hunger season.” Value-added products like egusi-enriched biscuits and porridge were developed and tested locally and internationally, empowering women and creating new income streams. Challenges include lack of processing technology, post-harvest losses, environmental degradation from galamsey (illegal mining), and risks of corporate exploitation. The speaker calls for mindset shifts, equitable value chains, scientific innovation, and youth engagement to transform local resources into sustainable development, urging everyone to contribute meaningfully to global goals.
Below are the links to the resources:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377152696_WREWRE_EGUSI_STEW_SOUP_COOKBOOK