Nutrition
Health benefits of fruits
Great source of essential vitamins: fruits are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Eating a variety of fruits in the form of a fruit salad can go a long way in stimulating the energy level and health factor of the body.
High in fiber content: The presence of dietary fiber in fruits can keep the blood cholesterol level in check and also reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in individuals. Fiber-rich fruits such as strawberry, apple, banana and mango also possess anti-carcinogenic properties.
-Excellent source of nutrition for pregnant women: Fruits contain folate (folic acid) that helps the body to form red blood cells. It is advisable for pregnant women to consume
fruits (orange and grapefruit) in optimum amounts and enrich their body with folic acid. It helps reduce the risk of physical and mental deformities in the fetus.
-Regulates blood pressure: Fruits like bananas, oranges, avocado that are rich in potassium can help you maintain a normal blood pressure. They are also low in carbs and fat; hence they naturally prove healthier than any other food substitute.
-Keeps body weight in check: Fruits that are rich in vitamin C prove beneficial in controlling the body weight. Moreover, fruits do not contain any saturated fats or cholesterol that are harmful for cardiac health.
-Aids in digestion: Fruits with high-fiber content retain laxative properties and ease the process of digestion in the human body. This also prevents the formation of kidney stones.
-Nourishing the skin and hair: They are high on anti-oxidants that help the skin to retain its radiance and glow. Fruits like papaya, coconut, etc. can fight various dermatological disorders. Fruits containing vitamin A give the hair a lustrous look.
-Hydrates the body: Owing to the high amount of water in most of the fruits, they are an easy and quick source of hydration. Their intake is equally important during summers and winters.
-Boosts the immune system: Fruits are rich in calcium, magnesium and even essential vitamins like Vitamin K and Vitamin E. These can treat various chronic disorders and also improve our resistance against germs and diseases.
Source: apollodiagnostics.com
In March 2025, world leaders gathered in Paris for the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, the most important global gathering on malnutrition of the decade. Over $30 billion in new financial commitments were pledged globally by more than 170 actors from 82 countries. Ghana was there. Ghana made commitments. The question now is: are those commitments enough, and will they be delivered?
Ghana made 10 commitments at the 2025 N4G Summit. One of the most significant is a pledge to spend at least $6 million annually from 2026 for the procurement of essential nutrition commodities including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), iron-folic acid tablets, vitamin A supplements, and anthropometric equipment for measuring child growth.
This financial commitment is meaningful. For years, Ghana’s nutrition programmes have depended heavily on donor funding, leaving services vulnerable to aid cuts and supply disruptions. A domestic budget line for nutrition commodities signals a shift toward ownership and sustainability. It also directly supports Ghana’s Nutrition for Growth commitments from the 2021 Tokyo Summit, several of which remain off track.
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 N4G Summit was about more than funding. It called for systemic change: embedding nutrition in food systems, health coverage, climate resilience, and gender equality. Every dollar invested in nutrition is estimated to return $16 to the local economy. Yet malnutrition still costs Ghana an estimated 6.4 per cent of its GDP annually. That is not a public health statistic. It is an economic emergency.
The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has acknowledged that converting summit outcomes into actionable change requires transparent policy dialogue and locally driven solutions.
Commitments made in Paris must be tracked, funded, and implemented in Ghana’s communities. Programmes must move from pilot scale to national coverage. That will not happen without sustained political will, dedicated domestic financing, and public accountability.
Commitments made on global stages matter. But they only become meaningful when they translate into services in communities. The question is not what Ghana promised in Paris. It is what Ghana delivers at home.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
Cabbage is very rich in fibre, the main supplier of roughage. This helps the body retain water and it maintains the bulkiness of the food as it moves through the bowels.
Thus, it is a good remedy for constipation and other digestion-related problems.
Ingredients
-1 large cabbage
– 4 large fresh tomatoes
– 1 large onion
– Pepper
-Garlic
-2 large salmon
-1 tin of mackerel
-2 large green pepper
-Salt to taste
Preparation
-Chop cabbage roughly and wash in a large pot of water
-Pour vinegar on it and wait until you make other preparations. Then drain.
-Heat coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat
-Cook and stir onion in hot oil until onion turns dark brown.
-Blend tomatoes, green pepper, garlic and onion and add to the oil
-Add tomato paste, mackerel and salmon to stew
-Add cabbage, stir and cover to cook for 7 – 10 minutes
-Allow to simmer when it is soft and serve with rice, yam etc.
