Perceptions and attitudes toward food assistance programs among urban households in Ghana: evidence from hypothetical program scenarios

Food insecurity in Ghana is a growing concern. While the focus has been mostly rural, urban food insecurity necessitates investigation to address the peculiar challenges of urban households. This brief communication assesses how different messages about hypothetical food assistance programs influence individuals' likelihood of participation and examines whether there is any association between food security levels and stigma concerns. Using a structured survey, data were collected from 401 respondents who reside in urban households. The results show that programs framed to resonate personally with individuals' circumstances tended to encourage stronger participation, though universal appeals also resulted in broad engagement. Individuals with higher levels of food insecurity are more likely to associate stigma with food security intervention programs. As such, those who are most in need from accessing assistance programs may be discouraged from doing so. Further, the incentives within the hypothetical programs aimed at increasing the likelihood of purchasing healthier foods did not achieve its goals, possibly because highly food-insecure individuals may prioritize addressing immediate food needs over purchasing healthier, more expensive options. As such, they may likely channel the discounts or rewards towards other immediate food needs. This paper posits that initiatives should prioritize destigmatizing food assistance programs through strategies such as anonymizing participation and promoting inclusive messaging can help reduce stigma and encourage participation among the most vulnerable populations. To ensure incentives effectively increase healthier food purchases, programs should address structural barriers, improve accessibility of healthy items, incorporate education and behavioural nudges, and adapt based on participant feedback.