Nutrition

The Hidden Hunger: Why Eating Enough Isn’t the Same as Eating Well

Published

11 months ago

November 15, 2025

Feature Article by Women, Media and Change (WOMEC)

In bustling markets across Ghana, traders call out over heaps of rice, yam, and maize. For many households, these staples represent security—a sign that no one will go to bed hungry.

Yet behind this apparent abundance lies a hidden crisis: hidden hunger, a silent form of malnutrition caused not by lack of food, but by lack of essential nutrients. Hidden hunger affects millions, especially women and children, weakening the body, dulling the mind, and limiting human potential.

The tragedy is that it thrives not because we lack solutions, but because our systems fail to prioritise nutrition. Despite several government initiatives, from the National Nutrition Policy (2016–2020) to food fortification programmes, progress remains slow. Implementation is inconsistent, coordination among ministries is weak, and public investment in nutrition is still below the global minimum target. Meanwhile, imported junk foods continue to flood the market unchecked, while local farmers struggle to market healthy indigenous crops like millet, sorghum, and moringa.

Nutrition is not just a health issue—it’s a development and governance issue. When ministries and local assemblies fail to integrate nutrition into agricultural planning, education, and poverty reduction strategies, the result is a cycle of poor diets and poor health outcomes.

At Women, Media and Change (WOMEC), we believe that nutrition should be treated with the same urgency as any national emergency. Through media advocacy and public engagement, WOMEC continues to push for transparency in nutrition governance and for stronger community voices in decision-making.

Ending hidden hunger requires more than awareness—it demands decisive action from policymakers. Nutrition must move from the margins of development planning to the centre of national policy. When governance supports good nutrition, the results go far beyond full stomachs: we build a healthier, smarter, and more productive nation.

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Nutrition

Wheat ‘angwa mo’ recipe

Published

1 day ago

October 17, 2026

WeeklySpectator

Ingredients

-Oil

-1 large onion

-2 cups of rice

-Salt

-2 cups of wheat

Preparation

-In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat

-Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and turns golden brown

-Wash rice and wheat and put into pan. Sauté for two to three minutes, until toasty and fragrant

-Add water and salt and allow to boil.

– Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

-Taste the rice/wheat; if it is still a bit firm, add a few more tablespoons of water and cook a few more minutes.

-When the rice/wheat is ready, take it off the fire and serve hot

Benefits of wheat

–Improves digestion: High levels of insoluble fibre- wheat promotes regular bowel movements, prevent constipation, and support a healthy gut microbiome.

-Supports heart health: Whole-grain wheat helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, reduces blood pressure, and decreases the risk of stroke and heart disease.

-Aids weight management: Complex carbohydrates and dense fibre slow digestion, increase feelings of fullness, and help prevent sharp blood sugar spikes.

-Lowers type 2 diabetes risk: Steady glucose release and minerals like magnesium improve insulin sensitivity.

– Provides essential vitamins and minerals: Wheat supplies B vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, which help build bones and boost immune function.

–Delivers Antioxidants: Compounds like phenolic acids, ferulic acid, and lutein protect cells from oxidative stress and support eye health.

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