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How nutrition shapes learning: The brain-nutrition link in Ghana
When we talk about child nutrition in Ghana, we often talk about physical growth, weight, and height.
But nutrition does something else that we rarely discuss. It shapes how a child’s brain develops.
The food a child receives in the first two years of life does not just determine how big they grow.
It determines how well they think, how fast they learn, and how fully they become the people they are capable of being.
The period from birth to age two is a time of rapid brain development. During this window, the brain forms connections that support learning, memory, language, vision and coordination.
Without the right nutrients, this development can be permanently affected. Key micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and iodine are especially critical during this period.
Iron supports oxygen transport to the brain, zinc is essential for neural signaling and memory, and iodine is vital for the production of thyroid hormones that regulate brain development.
Deficiencies in any of these nutrients during the first 1,000 days can cause irreversible cognitive harm.
Breastfeeding plays a critical role. Breast milk provides essential fatty acids, antibodies, and other compounds that support brain and eye development.
After six months, children need diverse, nutrient-rich complementary foods to sustain this growth.
However, in many parts of Ghana, children’s diets lack sufficient diversity. Meals may fill the stomach but fail to provide the nutrients needed for optimal brain development.
Research in rural Ghana shows that children who were not adequately breastfed or who received low-diversity complementary foods are more likely to experience delays in cognitive development, language skills, and motor development.
These are not abstract findings. They describe real children in real communities across Ghana today.
Poor early nutrition leads to suboptimal brain development, which negatively affects a child’s educational performance and economic productivity long into adulthood.
This is not just a health issue, it is a development issue. Ghana cannot achieve its economic ambitions if a significant portion of its next generation is entering school with cognitive deficits that were entirely preventable.
The cost of under nutrition is not only paid in hospitals. It is paid in classrooms, workplaces, and communities for generations.
Protecting children’s brain development requires investment in the first 1,000 days of life from conception to age two.
This means supporting exclusive breastfeeding, training health workers to counsel mothers on diverse complementary feeding, ensuring that nutrient-rich local foods are affordable and accessible, and integrating early child development with nutrition programmes.
Leaders in government, health, and communities must understand that feeding a child well is not a maternal responsibility alone. It is a collective, policy-driven obligation.
A well-nourished brain is the foundation of a well-developed nation.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
