A growing call is emerging for African governments to integrate affordable food services into the design of major public and private institutions, as part of efforts to improve worker welfare and urban management systems.
The Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle in Ghana, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, made this case in a statement delivered before the Parliament of Ghana and shared on its official Facebook page.
She highlighted a common challenge faced by workers across many African cities—limited access to reasonably priced meals within workplaces such as hospitals, banks, ministries, and large corporate establishments. According to her, this gap often forces workers to rely on informal food vendors operating in unregulated spaces, raising concerns around safety, sanitation, and urban order.
The Ghanaian lawmaker stressed that the deliberate inclusion of cafeterias and food courts in institutional planning can provide a sustainable solution. When such facilities are designed to be accessible and affordable, they not only support worker productivity and well-being but also help formalise local food economies.
Her proposal calls for coordinated action by planning and regulatory authorities, including ministries responsible for infrastructure and local governance, as well as metropolitan and municipal assemblies. These bodies, she suggested, should develop clear guidelines that encourage or require large-scale developments to incorporate affordable food services as part of approval processes.
The issue resonates across the continent, where rapid urbanisation continues to reshape work environments and public infrastructure. Integrating food systems into institutional planning is increasingly recognized as a practical step toward building inclusive cities that meet the everyday needs of workers.
The proposal contributes to ongoing continental conversations on sustainable urban development, public health, and the role of policy in strengthening Africa’s informal and formal economic linkages.