Nutrition

Wagashi

This food is very popular in the Northern part of Ghana. Wagashi does not melt at high temperatures, however, when fried it has a soft and fluffy texture. The Cheese is made from cow milk and it’s naturally delicate in taste when salt is not added.

Ingredients

1gallon of milk

1 cup of apple cider vinegar

Beet or sorghum leaves for optional skin colouring (optional)

Method

Mix fresh milk with apple cider vinegar
Heat the mixture at low to medium heat until the milk clots form completely.
Then strain in a colander to remove all the water and your cheese is obtained.
Soak the cheese obtained in cold water for a few minutes (10-20 minutes).
After removing the cheese you can optionally dip it in boiled red leaves.
Boil the cheese in the red solution for 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of your cheese
Serve the fried Wagashi with the West African Suya spice.

Nutrition

Malnutrition in Ghana: A policy crisis hiding in plain sight

Let's fight malnutrition in Ghana

For many Ghanaians, “malnutrition” is often misunderstood as simply a lack of food. But nutrition experts say the reality is far more complex and far more urgent. It is not just about being hungry. It’s about not getting the right nutrients at the right time, especially for children under five and pregnant women. While the consequences are dire, the real danger lies in how little political attention the issue receives.

According to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, 12 per cent of children are underweight, and 6 per cent suffer from wasting, the most life-threatening form of malnutrition. Meanwhile, anaemia affects nearly 50 per cent of women of reproductive age, increasing risks during pregnancy and childbirth.

Nutrition interventions, like vitamin supplementation, school feeding, and treatment for severe malnutrition, are essential to saving lives and securing a healthy population. Yet only 0.4 per cent of the national health budget is allocated to nutrition-specific interventions. Many programs are heavily reliant on foreign aid, which is not only unsustainable but risky. The recent withdrawal of USAID support left a $156 million funding gap, threatening the availability of life-saving nutrition and health services.

The economic cost of this crisis is staggering. Ghana loses an estimated GH₵4.6 billion annually due to the long-term effects of malnutrition on productivity, education, and healthcare. Children who are stunted are more likely to struggle in school, earn less as adults, and suffer from chronic illnesses, all of which lock families into cycles of poverty.

But Ghana can reverse this trajectory. The experience of countries like Rwanda and Peru shows that with strong political commitment, dedicated budget lines, and multisectoral coordination, nutrition outcomes can improve dramatically.

That’s where the Nourish Ghana Project comes in. Led by Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) Organisation, the project aims to raise awareness and push for policy reform through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and media mobilisation.