News
2 children die of Malnutrition every hour
Two children in Ghana die from malnutrition-related causes every hour, Nutrition specialist and Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Kasim Abdulai, has disclosed.
He said despite interventions over the years to address the health threat, it continues to threaten the lives of thousands of children, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life; from conception to a child’s third birthday.
“Just imagine how many children we lose in a day due to the triple burden of malnutrition in Ghana. Nothing is more important compared to nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life not even medication.
It is the nutrients that help to build the child’s immune system, their mental development, and physical growth and it is crucial that we pay needed attention to nutrition for maternal and child health,” Dr Abdulai who is also Director of Operations of the Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy (CAPHA), stated.
He was presenting findings of a research on key nutrition situation, trends and funding gaps in Ghana during a capacity building workshop for selected journalists and civil society organisations focused on nutrition in Accra last Tuesday.
Organised by CAPHA in partnership with the Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) network, the training was to rally participants to champion nutrition interventions in Ghana to promote a healthier population and reduce disease burden.
Furthermore, Dr Abdulai said with 42 per cent of Ghanaian women of reproductive age being anaemic, wasting and stunting among children at 7 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, the need to tackle root causes like good nutrition among the population couldn’t be more critical.
He called for urgent investment into nutrition, especially domestically, in view of dwindling donor aid saying; “Nutrition is not charity, it is a right. If we nourish our children today, we secure our nation’s future tomorrow.”
“Let’s not wait for another child to die before we act. We must act now because the cost of inaction is measured in lives lost every hour,” he urged.
Executive Director of WOMEC, Dr Charity Binka, decried the malnutrition burden in Ghana despite investments made into the area over the years.
She emphasised that the time was up to break the silence around malnutrition with deliberate efforts channeled into promoting exclusive breastfeeding, good complementary feeding, and hygienic food practices.
“We need to invest into our local foods to nourish our children and ensure nutrition is part of our everyday conversations right from our homes.
Fighting malnutrition is not just about saving lives. It’s about unlocking Ghana’s full potential. When we invest in nutrition, we invest in education, health, economic growth, and social progress,” she explained.
By Abigail Annoh
President John Dramani Mahama has held bilateral talks with the President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, reaffirming the strong ties and shared values that continue to define relations between Ghana and South Korea.
During the discussions, President Mahama highlighted the historic connection between the two nations, noting their common commitment to democracy, human rights, and a shared historical experience.
He emphasised the opportunities for deeper cooperation, stating that Ghana’s rich natural and human resources, combined with Korea’s technological expertise and innovation, present a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership.
The President also underscored Ghana’s strategic role within the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose secretariat is headquartered in Accra, positioning the country as a gateway for production and exports into a market of over 1.4 billion people.
President Lee Jae Myung, in his remarks, described Ghana as a country that holds a special place in the hearts of many Koreans, highlighting decades of cooperation in areas such as maritime security, trade, and agriculture.
He also reflected on the longstanding cultural and economic connection symbolised by the popular “Ghana” chocolate brand made from Ghanaian cocoa, which has been enjoyed in Korea for over five decades.
Both leaders expressed optimism about expanding people-to-people exchanges, cultural engagement, and economic collaboration, with President Lee noting that President Mahama’s visit provides a timely opportunity to deepen practical cooperation that will directly benefit the citizens of both nations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed by the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates that two Ghanaian nationals sustained injuries following a drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport earlier today, March 11, 2026.
Against this backdrop, the Government of Ghana has strongly condemned any act that endangers civilian lives and critical infrastructure.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, March 11, such incidents pose serious risks to public safety and underscore the importance of ensuring the protection of civilians and vital international transport hubs.
Ghana’s Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates has led a delegation of the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai to visit the two injured Ghanaians in hospital.
Their injuries are not critical and are expected to fully recover soon.
“We therefore urge calm as we continue to extend consular assistance and collaborate closely with host authorities,” the statement added.
The Ministry has revealed that they are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities as required.
The Government of Ghana expresses its concern over the incident and conveys its thoughts to the injured individuals and their families.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the Government of Ghana’s commitment to the protection and welfare of Ghanaian citizens wherever they may be.
The Government of Ghana is actively supporting ongoing consultations within the UN to pass a resolution seeking a cessation of hostilities.
According to the Ministry they are offering the necessary leadership and coordination with Ghana’s diplomatic Missions and will provide updates on the matter as and when the need arises.
Government has reiterated its call for Nationals in the Gulf region to always exercise heightened vigilance and comply with directives from Ghanaian Embassies and local authorities.
