Ghana Food Movement wins 2026 Champions of Change Award

The Ghana Food Movement has been awarded the 2026 Champions of Change Award by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, with sponsorship from illycaffè. The non-profit organization was recognized for its efforts to promote Ghana’s indigenous food heritage and utilize the hospitality sector to drive social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Led by Managing Directors Abdallah Smith and Aimée Wallin, the organization operates through three primary pillars: community development, food education, and the promotion of local foods. Its initiatives aim to address critical challenges in the national food system, such as a heavy reliance on food imports, shifting dietary habits, and the declining use of traditional ingredients.

Through mentorship, workshops, and business support, the movement has already helped over 250 young people secure employment within the food industry. Recent initiatives include the Ghana Plate Project, which works with schools to provide nutritious meals using local crops like fonio, sorghum, and moringa, and a research project focused on building climate-resilient food systems through traditional knowledge.