Nutrition
The NHIS Opportunity: Leveraging Ghana’s uncapped health levy for nutrition services
Ghana’s decision to uncap the National Health Insurance Levy in 2025 marks an important shift in health financing. By removing limits on how much revenue the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) can receive, government has created room to strengthen and expand essential health services.
This change comes at a crucial time for maternal and child nutrition, where effective solutions already exist but are yet to reach everyone who needs them.
Two such interventions are Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for children with severe acute malnutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women. Both are included in Ghana’s Essential Medicines List and Standard Treatment Guidelines, confirming their safety and effectiveness. Yet neither is currently covered under NHIS, leaving access dependent largely on donor-supported programmes.
The consequences are visible. An estimated 68,517 children in Ghana need treatment for severe acute malnutrition, but only about 15 per cent receive RUTF. For pregnant women, iron–folic acid supplements remain the standard, even though they address only two of the 15 essential micronutrients required during pregnancy. As a result, maternal anaemia remains widespread, affecting between 37 and 63 per cent of pregnant women depending on the trimester.
What makes this moment different is that Ghana already has the systems needed to deliver these services at scale. NHIS enrollment among mothers of children under five stands at about 84 per cent. National guidelines for the use of RUTF and MMS are finalised and in use, and more than 600 health workers have been trained on updated protocols. Supply chain structures are in place. The missing link has been sustainable, predictable financing.
Cost should not be a barrier. A full course of MMS costs about USD 2.50 per pregnancy and has been shown to reduce low birth weight by 12 per cent and preterm births by 11 per cent. This represents a small share of current spending on undernutrition. RUTF, while more resource-intensive, reduces the need for expensive hospital admissions by enabling effective community-based care, with recovery rates of 75 to 90 per cent. Ongoing Health Technology Assessments will provide Ghana-specific evidence to guide NHIS reimbursement decisions.
Including RUTF and MMS in the NHIS benefits package would change how nutrition services are delivered. Coverage would no longer depend on where donor programmes operate. Families would be protected from out-of-pocket costs, and services would be delivered as part of routine maternal and child healthcare. Importantly, data on coverage and outcomes would flow through national systems, strengthening monitoring, accountability, and planning.
Ghana has committed to achieving 80 per cent coverage of essential health services by 2030 under its Universal Health Coverage agenda. Nutrition is central to this goal, as it underpins child survival, maternal health, and long-term human development. The uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy offers a rare chance to close long-standing nutrition financing gaps using domestic resources.
The opportunity is clear. The systems are ready. The evidence is established. What remains is a deliberate policy choice to use this expanded fiscal space to ensure that lifesaving nutrition services reach mothers and children across the country, consistently, equitably, and sustainably. The levy uncapping opens the door; leadership must walk through it.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
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Nutrition
The First 1,000 Days: Why Ghana’s investment in maternal and child nutrition matters for human capital development
From the start of pregnancy to a child’s second birthday, the first 1,000 days, represents the most important window for human development. Good nutrition shapes the foundation.
During this short window, the body and brain grow at a pace that will never be repeated. When nutrition is inadequate, the damage to physical growth and cognitive development is often permanent. No later investment in education or healthcare can fully reverse these losses. Ghana’s future workforce and economic progress depend on getting nutrition right during this critical period.
Science is clear. A baby’s brain develops rapidly during pregnancy and early childhood, forming the foundation for all future learning and health. Adequate nutrients during pregnancy support the formation of neural connections that underpin learning, memory, and emotional regulation. When pregnant women lack essential nutrients, their babies begin life at a disadvantage. When young children experience severe malnutrition, they miss critical growth periods that do not return.
Ghana faces serious challenges during this critical window. An estimated 68,517 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Between 37 and 63 percent of pregnant women are anemic, with iron deficiency particularly common in late pregnancy. These problems translate directly into diminished potential. Malnourished children perform worse in school, earn less as adults, and face higher risks of chronic diseases. The economic losses multiply across generations.
Research worldwide shows that nutrition investments during the first 1,000 days deliver exceptional returns. Well-nourished children learn better, perform better academically, and become more productive adults. Countries that invest in early nutrition experience faster economic growth through stronger, more productive workforces.
Ghana already has effective solutions. Multiple Micronutrient Supplements for pregnant women reduce the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth, while Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food enables high recovery rates for children with severe acute malnutrition. Both are approved in Ghana’s health guidelines. The problem is not lack of knowledge but lack of access. Coverage remains limited because financing depends heavily on donor support rather than sustainable domestic systems.
Integrating these nutrition interventions into the National Health Insurance Scheme would help close this gap. With a large proportion of mothers and young children already enrolled, NHIS provides a platform for nationwide reach. Recent reforms to health financing further strengthen the case for prioritising essential nutrition services within the scheme.
Ghana’s development agenda emphasizes industrialisation, innovation, and economic transformation. Achieving these goals requires a workforce capable of learning, problem-solving, and sustained productivity. Human capital development, however, does not begin at universities or training centers. It begins before birth.
The first 1,000 days offer no second chances. Each year of delay means another group of children enter adulthood carrying preventable disadvantages. Investing in nutrition during this critical window is not only a health priority; it is a foundational investment in Ghana’s economic future.
Feature article by Womec, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
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Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar (Hijri) calendar, is a period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth. A vital part of observing Ramadan is Iftar—the evening meal with which Muslims break their daily fast at sunset. Fruits play an essential role in Iftar, providing nutrition, hydration, and energy after long hours of fasting.
Here are some of the most recommended fruits to include in your Ramadan meals:
Dates
Dates are traditionally used to break the fast. They are rich in sugar, fibre, potassium, vitamins, and minerals, helping to restore energy quickly after fasting.
Watermelon
Watermelon is highly consumed for hydration, as it is composed mostly of water. It can be enjoyed in slices or blended into refreshing smoothies.
Bananas
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, which helps maintain fluid balance and reduce thirst. They also provide natural energy to keep you going after fasting.
Apples
Apples are fibre-rich and nutritious, promoting heart health, aiding weight management, and improving digestion.
Cucumber
Cucumber is one of the best hydrating fruits, composed of water and fibre, which aids digestion while revitalising the body.
Pawpaw (Papaya)
Pawpaw is low in calories and sugar, rich in fibre, and promotes healthy digestion, hair, and skin. It is a nutritious addition to any Iftar meal.
Including a variety of these fruits during Ramadan not only helps replenish lost nutrients but also supports overall health, digestion, and hydration throughout the fasting period.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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