Nutrition
The role of Civil Society in advancing the fight against malnutrition
Malnutrition continues to undermine the health, learning, and future productivity of Ghana’s children. If left unaddressed, it will slow down national development and widen inequalities. Tackling this challenge requires not only government action but also the active and strategic involvement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
How CSOs can step up
To make a lasting impact, CSOs should consider the following roles in the fight against malnutrition:
Amplify nutrition advocacy
CSOs must use their platforms to keep nutrition high on the national agenda. By engaging parliament, district assemblies, and local leaders, they can push for stronger commitments and sustained investment in nutrition policies and programs.
Strengthen community education
Beyond raising awareness, CSOs should design practical, culturally relevant education campaigns that show families how to prepare balanced meals using locally available foods. Demonstrations, cooking classes, and peer-to-peer learning can make nutrition knowledge more actionable.
Leverage technology for wider reach
With mobile phones and social media widely used in Ghana, CSOs should adopt digital tools such as WhatsApp groups, SMS campaigns, and short educational videos to reach parents and young people with timely nutrition tips.
Build Stronger Coalitions
By collaborating across networks, CSOs can pool resources, share lessons, and amplify their voice in policy advocacy. A united civil society front makes it harder for decision-makers to ignore nutrition issues.
Hold Government Accountable
CSOs should actively monitor the implementation of nutrition-related policies and budget allocations. Through scorecards, citizen reports, and media engagement, they can ensure promises made translate into real benefits for communities.
The Way Forward
Malnutrition is not just a health issue; it is a national development concern. CSOs, with their grassroots presence and advocacy strength, are uniquely positioned to drive change. By sharpening their focus, deepening partnerships, and holding institutions accountable, they can accelerate progress toward a healthier, stronger Ghana.
The fight against malnutrition is everyone’s responsibility, but CSOs must remain at the forefront ensuring that no child is left behind because of poor nutrition.
Feature article by Women, Media & Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition Project
In March 2025, world leaders gathered in Paris for the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, the most important global gathering on malnutrition of the decade. Over $30 billion in new financial commitments were pledged globally by more than 170 actors from 82 countries. Ghana was there. Ghana made commitments. The question now is: are those commitments enough, and will they be delivered?
Ghana made 10 commitments at the 2025 N4G Summit. One of the most significant is a pledge to spend at least $6 million annually from 2026 for the procurement of essential nutrition commodities including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), iron-folic acid tablets, vitamin A supplements, and anthropometric equipment for measuring child growth.
This financial commitment is meaningful. For years, Ghana’s nutrition programmes have depended heavily on donor funding, leaving services vulnerable to aid cuts and supply disruptions. A domestic budget line for nutrition commodities signals a shift toward ownership and sustainability. It also directly supports Ghana’s Nutrition for Growth commitments from the 2021 Tokyo Summit, several of which remain off track.
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 N4G Summit was about more than funding. It called for systemic change: embedding nutrition in food systems, health coverage, climate resilience, and gender equality. Every dollar invested in nutrition is estimated to return $16 to the local economy. Yet malnutrition still costs Ghana an estimated 6.4 per cent of its GDP annually. That is not a public health statistic. It is an economic emergency.
The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has acknowledged that converting summit outcomes into actionable change requires transparent policy dialogue and locally driven solutions.
Commitments made in Paris must be tracked, funded, and implemented in Ghana’s communities. Programmes must move from pilot scale to national coverage. That will not happen without sustained political will, dedicated domestic financing, and public accountability.
Commitments made on global stages matter. But they only become meaningful when they translate into services in communities. The question is not what Ghana promised in Paris. It is what Ghana delivers at home.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project
Cabbage is very rich in fibre, the main supplier of roughage. This helps the body retain water and it maintains the bulkiness of the food as it moves through the bowels.
Thus, it is a good remedy for constipation and other digestion-related problems.
Ingredients
-1 large cabbage
– 4 large fresh tomatoes
– 1 large onion
– Pepper
-Garlic
-2 large salmon
-1 tin of mackerel
-2 large green pepper
-Salt to taste
Preparation
-Chop cabbage roughly and wash in a large pot of water
-Pour vinegar on it and wait until you make other preparations. Then drain.
-Heat coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat
-Cook and stir onion in hot oil until onion turns dark brown.
-Blend tomatoes, green pepper, garlic and onion and add to the oil
-Add tomato paste, mackerel and salmon to stew
-Add cabbage, stir and cover to cook for 7 – 10 minutes
-Allow to simmer when it is soft and serve with rice, yam etc.
