Nutrition

A healthy nation: Why maternal and child nutrition must be a national priority

Every hour, two Ghanaian children die from nutrition-related causes, deaths that are entirely preventable with the right investments. Yet, nutrition continues to receive less than 0.4 per cent of Ghana’s health budget. As donor funding declines, the future of maternal and child nutrition in Ghana hangs in the balance.

The first 1,000 days of life, thus, from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday, are the most critical for human development. Poor nutrition during this crucial window can lead to irreversible harm, including cognitive delays, weakened immunity, poor school performance, and limited earning potential. Ghana loses over GH¢4.6 billion each year to malnutrition through lost productivity and increased healthcare costs, yet essential nutrition interventions remain underfunded or reliant on external donors.

Research has shown that up to 60 per cent of Ghana’s nutrition programming is funded externally. The withdrawal of USAID alone threatens a funding shortfall of $156 million, including significant cuts to maternal and child health programmes, nutrition supplements, mobile clinics, and support for treating severe acute malnutrition. Over a million children may lose access to vital care as a result.

Policy and structural gaps further compound the crisis. Ghana lacks laws enforcing nutrition standards for pregnant women and young children. Nutrition is poorly integrated into national development plans and receives fragmented support across ministries.

To change current trends, Ghana must honor its pledge of allocating USD 6 million annually, made at the recent Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris, for the procurement of essential nutrition commodities. Achieving this requires establishing a dedicated budget line for nutrition, enhancing coordination across sectors, and strengthening domestic resource mobilization efforts.

Women, Media and Change, a national Non-governmental Organization, is committed to supporting advocacy on malnutrition under its project “Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition”. The initiative seeks to strengthen national policies on nutrition and ensure that decision makers prioritise investment in high-impact nutrition interventions

Nutrition is not charity; it is a right. A nourished child today becomes a healthy, productive citizen tomorrow.

Nutrition

Back to Our Roots: Growing what we eat, eating what we grow

Traditional foods are the best

Did you know you can grow tomatoes, peppers, kontomire, and even carrots in plastic bottles, buckets, or old cooking pots right on your balcony or backyard?

Across Ghana, families are rediscovering the joy and power of growing their food, even with limited space and resources. With rising food prices and growing concerns about chemically treated produce, more people are turning to home gardens as a low-cost, healthy, and empowering solution to address malnutrition and food insecurity.

Malnutrition remains one of Ghana’s most urgent challenges, with children facing stunted growth and anaemia, while adults battle increasing cases of obesity and diet-related illnesses. But solving this crisis isn’t just about eating more, it’s about eating right, eating safely, and eating smart. And that starts with going back to our roots.

By planting vegetables at home, families can cut food costs, eat fresher meals, and reduce dependence on produce grown with harmful chemicals. Schools, churches, and even workplaces are joining the movement by creating small gardens to promote good nutrition and self-reliance.

The revival of traditional Ghanaian foods

At the heart of this movement is a revival of traditional Ghanaian foods. Once staples in every kitchen, crops like millet, legumes, baobab, and cocoyam are naturally packed with nutrients our bodies need. These local superfoods are making a comeback, not just for their health benefits, but also for their cultural pride and affordability. They grow well in our soil, suit our climate, and nourish our families.

Ensuring food safety and sustainability

Good nutrition also means knowing how our food is grown. With increased use of pesticides and environmental threats like illegal mining contaminating farmlands and water sources, the need for safe, sustainable farming is urgent. Home gardening allows us to control how we grow, what we grow, and how we feed our families.

Education and awareness are key. Through school programs, community cooking demos, and social media, more people are learning that nutritious eating doesn’t require imported products or expensive supplements. It starts with what’s already around us, our land, our seeds, our knowledge.

The fight against malnutrition in Ghana doesn’t have to be complicated. It starts with a simple act: planting something. Whether it’s in a sack, a bottle, or a backyard plot, growing your food is a powerful step toward better health, lower food costs, and stronger communities.

Ready to start your own garden? Here’s how

Starting your home garden might seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think. Here are three simple steps to get you going:

Choose your spot: Look for an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. This could be a balcony, a small patch in your backyard, or even a sunny windowsill.

Pick your container: You don’t need fancy pots, you can use old buckets, used plastic bottles (cut in half with drainage holes), or even firm sacks can be perfect. Just ensure they have holes at the bottom for water to drain.

Select easy to grow crops: For beginners, start with resilient and fast-growing vegetables. Good choices in include kontomire (cocoyam leaves), spring onions, garden eggs, and various types of peppers. These thrive with minimal attention.

For more in-depth guidance and local tips, consider connecting with your local agricultural extension officers in your community.

Feature Article by Women, Media and Change on its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition Project.