Nutrition
Leadership, accountability, and the urgent need to prioritise nutrition outcomes
The persistence of malnutrition in Ghana raises important questions about leadership and accountability in nutrition governance. While technical expertise and donor support are available, progress remains uneven due to weak accountability mechanisms and limited political prioritisation.
Effective leadership for nutrition requires more than policy statements. It demands clear targets, sustained financing, and transparent monitoring systems.
Nutrition outcomes must be tracked and publicly reported, allowing citizens to assess government performance.
Accountability must extend across all levels of government. National leadership sets the tone, but district and regional authorities are responsible for implementation.
Strengthening leadership capacity at these levels is essential to ensure that national commitments translate into tangible results.
The media and civil society play a critical role in sustaining advocacy and demanding accountability.
By keeping nutrition on the public agenda, they help ensure that commitments are not forgotten once policy documents are launched.
Ghana’s development ambitions, including middle-income growth and human capital development, cannot be achieved while malnutrition persists.
Nutrition outcomes should be treated as indicators of governance effectiveness, alongside economic growth and infrastructure delivery.
Leadership that prioritises nutrition sends a powerful signal about national values and priorities. It demonstrates a commitment to equity, child survival, and long-term prosperity.
The fight against malnutrition is ultimately a test of leadership. Ghana has the knowledge, resources, and capacity to succeed. What is needed now is the political will to act decisively and hold institutions accountable for results.
Key policy recommendations: The Ghana Statistical Service should establish a National Nutrition Dashboard, publishing real-time data on stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies by district and region, updated quarterly and accessible to the public.
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must conduct annual nutrition expenditure reviews, tracking budget allocations versus actual spending across all MDAs.
The Office of the President should institute an Annual National Nutrition Summit where Ministers and DCEs present progress reports, with independent evaluation by civil society organizations.
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should launch a “Nutrition Accountability Campaign” educating citizens on nutrition as a governance issue and how to demand action from elected officials. Media houses should be supported to develop specialized nutrition reporting units that investigate and expose gaps in service delivery.
Finally, the Auditor-General’s office should include nutrition programme audits in its annual work plan, examining value-for-money and impact of nutrition investments with findings presented to Parliament.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Ingredients
– 2 large onions (chopped)
– 4 eggs
-3 tomatoes
– 1 green pepper
– 2 carrots
– Salt to taste
Method
– Wash all vegetables (Onion, tomatoes, green pepper, carrots) and cut into cubes
– Crack all eggs into a bowl
– Lightly whisk the eggs and add a pinch of salt together until all the ingredients are mixed
-Add vegetables and whisk
– Heat oil on fire and pour the egg mixture and let it sit, without stirring, for 20 seconds.
– Stir with a spatula, lifting and folding it over from the bottom of the pan. Let it sit for another 10 seconds then stir and fold again.
– Turn off the heat and leave for a few seconds to finish frying
-Give a final stir and serve the scramble egg
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Cabbage may not be the most attractive vegetable, but it is full of nutritional benefits that can keep the body strong and healthy-from boosting your immune system to improving digestion.
This common leafy green vegetable comes in a range of colours, shapes and sizes that you can use for soup, salad, sandwiches and more. It can be eaten raw or stir-fried.
-Fights inflammation
Cabbages contains anthocyanins, which are naturally occurring antioxidants. Anthocyanins does not only add colour to fruits but rather reduce inflammation. A research showed that people who eat cabbages has lower inflammation levels than those who do not eat.
– Keeps one strong
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, does a lot of work in the body. It helps make collagen and boosts the immune system. It also helps your body absorb iron from plant-based foods.
– Improves digestion
Cabbages contains phytosterols (plant sterols) and insoluble fibre. These help keeps the digestive system healthy and bowel movements regular. It fuels the good bacteria in your gut that protects your immune system.
– Protects your heart
The anthocyanins found in cabbage help with more than inflammation. Research suggests they reduce your risk of heart disease.
Scientists have found 36 different kinds of anthocyanins in cabbage, which could make it an excellent option for cardiovascular health.
– Lowers blood pressure
Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that helps your body control blood pressure. One cup of red cabbage can produce a healthy amount of potassium — as much as 6 per cent of your recommended daily value. This could help lower your blood pressure, reducing your risk for heart disease.
-Lowers cholesterol
Cabbage contains two substances — fibre and phytosterols (plant sterols) — that compete with cholesterol to be absorbed by your digestive system. They wind up reducing your bad cholesterol levels and improving your health.
– Maintains bone health and healthy blood clotting
Vitamin K is essential to our well-being. Without it, you’d be at risk of developing bone conditions like osteoporosis, and your blood wouldn’t be able to clot properly. According to research, eating cabbage everyday keep our bones strong and blood cells clotting well.- clevelandclinic.org
Features1 week agoAbigail Fremah: The calm authority behind Ghana’s rise in armwrestling refereeing
- Entertainment3 days ago
Roland Amartey set to cover 2026 Ghana Music Awards USA for Sammyflex TV
- News1 week ago
Finance Minister pledges support to improve working conditions and reduce congestion in courts
