Strong Government Leadership: The necessary ingredient in Ghana’s nutrition response

 When we hear the word “mal­nutrition,” we often think of hunger. However, Ghana’s nutrition crisis is more complex and far-reach­ing than just empty stomachs. Today, thousands of children under five suffer from wasting (six per cent), stunting (18 per cent), and under­weight (12 per cent). At the same time, more than 40 per cent of wom­en of reproductive age are anaemic, and diet-related diseases are rising rapidly in urban areas.

What lies at the heart of this complex challenge? According to research, one powerful solution is being overlooked: strong and sustained government leadership.

Ghana already has policies in place, including the National Nutrition Policy, the School Feed­ing Programme, and Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, among others. However, these frameworks are only as effective as their imple­mentation. Unfortunately, gaps in financing, outdated guidelines, fragmented coordination among ministries, and weak accountabil­ity systems continue to under­mine progress.

A key opportunity for action lies in the USD 6 million annual pledge Ghana made at the 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Sum­mit in Paris. This commitment earmarked for essential nutrition commodities like supplements and therapeutic foods must move from pledge to practice. That means establishing a dedicated nutrition budget line, empowering government agencies to coordinate nutrition more effectively across sectors, and ensuring local governments are equipped to deliver nutrition inter­ventions.

Other countries are leading the way. In Kenya, a dedicated parlia­mentary nutrition caucus is driving reforms. In Peru, legal frameworks protect nutrition budgets from po­litical shifts. Ghana has the techni­cal know-how and the institutional platforms; it now needs the political courage to act.

When the government prioritis­es nutrition, the ripple effects are enormous: better health outcomes, improved school performance, higher economic productivity, and reduced national health costs.

It’s time to treat nutrition not as a “social issue,” but as a strategic investment in Ghana’s future.

Feature article by Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project.