Nutrition
Nutrition is more than health —A cross-sectoral policy priority
When a child is born underweight in Ghana, the Ministry of Health takes the blame. When a schoolchild struggles to learn because of hunger, the education sector is blamed. When families cannot afford diverse foods, it is seen as a problem for agriculture. But in truth, these are not separate problems, they are pieces of the same puzzle.
Nutrition is not just about hospitals and clinics. It is about farms, schools, social protection, and governance. Yet Ghana continues to treat it as a health-sector issue. The result is fragmented interventions, duplicated efforts, and policies that never add up to real change.
Take agriculture, for example. Too often, the focus is on increasing yields of cash crops rather than improving the diversity of foods available to families. Education? School feeding programmes fill stomachs but often fail to nourish minds because the meals lack essential nutrients. Social protection? Cash transfers help households survive but don’t always ensure children eat balanced meals.
This is why Ghana must adopt a cross-sectoral approach to nutrition policy. Nutrition targets should be integrated into the performance indicators of every ministry; from agriculture to education to finance. A school feeding programme should not be judged only by how many children are fed, but by whether those meals improve nutrition outcomes. Agricultural policies should measure success not just in tonnes of maize, but in whether families can access affordable vegetables, beans, and protein.
Coordinating this requires leadership from the very top. A National Nutrition Council under the presidency could drive this integration, ensuring that all sectors pull in the same direction and are accountable for results.
The reality is simple: no ministry can fix malnutrition alone. But together, through cross-sectoral policies that recognise nutrition as the foundation of development, Ghana can finally break the cycle.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition Project in collaboration with Eleanor Crook Foundation
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when the world turns pink to remind us that early detection and prevention save lives. But beyond the screenings and campaigns, there’s another powerful prevention tool many people overlook: nutrition.
Emerging research shows that what we eat can influence our risk of developing breast cancer. Diets high in processed foods, red meat, and refined sugars can increase inflammation and disrupt hormones—conditions that support the growth of cancer cells.
On the other hand, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains provides the antioxidants and nutrients the body needs to protect cells from damage.
Foods like tomatoes, leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish (such as salmon and sardines) are especially beneficial. They help reduce inflammation and support hormone balance, both critical in breast health. Meanwhile, limiting or avoiding alcohol, stopping smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight are proven ways to lower one’s risk.
Nutrition alone isn’t a guarantee against cancer, but it’s a vital part of a healthy lifestyle that also includes regular exercise, adequate sleep, and routine breast checks.
At Women, Media and Change (WOMEC), we continue to advocate for women’s health through information and empowerment. We urge women everywhere to eat right, get screened, stay informed, and take charge of their well-being.
Every healthy choice brings you one step closer to prevention. The right diet doesn’t just nourish your body—it could help save your life.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its “Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition” Project.
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Ingredients
• 2 ripened plantains
• 6 eggs
• 1 bottle vegetable oil
• 2 large onions
• 2 large tomatoes
• Bell pepper (green, red, yellow) – 1 each
• Cheese (optional)
• 5 sausages
• Seasoning
• Salt to taste
• 3 tablespoonfuls of curry powder
• 2 tablespoonfuls of thyme powder
Method
Wash and cut the ripened plantains into smaller round shapes. Sprinkle some salt on them and mix thoroughly.
Preheat oil in a pan and fry the plantains until golden brown, then set aside.
Break the eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt and seasoning, and whisk together.
Pour some oil into a pan and add diced onions, bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes. Add chopped sausages and lightly season with a pinch of salt, seasoning, curry, and thyme powder.
Allow to fry for about three minutes, then pour the mixture into the bowl of whisked eggs and mix to form a uniform blend.
Pour the mixture into a pan and neatly arrange the fried plantains on top. Sprinkle cheese over it (optional).
Cover the pan and cook under low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes until set and golden.
Remove from heat, transfer onto a flat plate, and cut into triangular slices.
Serve and enjoy your delicious Plantain Pizza! 🍕
By Theresa Dzifa Tsetse
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