The success of Ghana’s fight against malnutrition does not rest solely in the hands of the government or donors. It depends on us, the citizens. Nutrition is not just a technical issue. It is a societal one, and every Ghanaian has a role to play in ensuring that no child goes hungry, no mother is left unsupport­ed, and no community is forgotten.

As citizens, we must shift how we see nutri­tion: not as a private family concern, but as a collective national responsibility. Here’s how we can act:

1. Demand account­ability

Every citizen has the right and responsibility to ask how public funds are being used to support nutrition. Are local clinics stocked with supple­ments? Are school feeding programmes working in your district? Are ma­ternal health services adequately funded? Ask questions. Engage as­sembly members. Attend town hall meetings. Make your voice count.

2. Speak up, Speak out

Silence has a cost. When we fail to speak out against malnutrition, we normalise it. Use your platform, whether it is WhatsApp group, a radio show, a church gathering, or social media, to raise awareness. Normalise conversations about child feeding, food quality, and maternal health. Silence keeps systems broken. Voices drive change.

3. Support local solutions

Support or join community nu­trition initiatives. Volunteer. Share what you know. Help spread accu­rate information about breastfeed­ing, healthy diets, and hygiene. If you are a farmer, teacher, trader, or youth leader, your knowledge and effort can make a difference. Change starts in our homes and neighbourhoods.

4. Protect the first 1,000 days

Whether you are a father, grand­mother, neighbor, or employer, support pregnant women and care­givers during this crucial period. Encourage antena­tal care. Help with child care. Prioritise nutritious foods. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life lay the foundation for everything that follows.

When citizens care, ask questions, take action, and show solidarity, we create the condi­tions for lasting change. Malnutrition is not inevitable. It is a symptom of neglect, and neglect ends when citizens choose to act.

Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for In­creased Leadership to Combat Malnutri­tion Project

Ga kenkey, a staple in Ghanaian cuisine, is prepared with fer­menting corn dough, then cooking a portion of it to create ‘aflata’ or ‘banku’. It is a popular food in the southern part of Ghana.

Ingredients:

-8 cups of dried corn

-Dried corn leaves (for wrapping)

-2 tablespoonful of stew

Preparation

-Soak corn in water over­night

-Grind corn into a powder form

-Mix the ground corn with water (dough)

-Mix part of the dough with water and put it on fire to cook

-Take the pot off the fire and mix in the remaining dough .

– When ready shape mixture into balls and set every prepared ball on a corn leaf.

– Cover each ball by wrapping the corn leaf around it

– Put water on fire. Add wrapped kenkey to boil for 45 minutes.

– When ready take them out carefully and serve them along with shito, ground pepper and fish.