Ghana’s economic conversations often focus on fiscal policy, investment, and productivity. But there is a cost that rarely enters these conversations. The crippling, compounding cost of malnutrition. According to the Cost of Hunger in Africa (COHA) study, a landmark analysis conducted jointly by the African Union, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, WFP, and UNICEF,…
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…
For the past thirty years, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has transformed the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in children. Before its introduction in the late 1990s, children suffering from severe wasting often required prolonged hospital stays, intensive medical care, and constant supervision. Today, many of these children can recover safely at home or within their…
When nutrition challenges among Ghanaian women are discussed, anaemia and obesity often dominate the conversation. These are real and serious concerns. But there are two other deficiencies, folate and vitamin B12, quietly causing harm to women and their unborn children. They are less visible, less talked about, and yet their impact begins early, often before…
Every baby deserves a healthy start. But in Ghana, too many children are being born already behind, too small, too fragile, and at far greater risk than their peers. Low birth weight, defined as weighing less than 2.5 kilograms at birth, affects an estimated 1 in 7 newborns in this country. That is a significant…
Reliable data is the foundation of effective health systems. Governments need accurate information to track progress, identify gaps, and ensure that services reach the people who need them most. In Ghana, however, data on nutrition services often remains fragmented. For example, it is possible to estimate how many children received Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) treatment…
Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has transformed healthcare access for millions of people. Since its establishment, the scheme has reduced out-of-pocket health spending and increased the use of healthcare services. For many families, an NHIS card means the difference between seeking treatment and delaying care. Yet this promise of accessible healthcare encounters significant limitations…
Ghana has made strong commitments to protecting the health and wellbeing of its citizens. The Constitution affirms the state’s responsibility to safeguard public health, and the country has endorsed international agreements recognizing the right to adequate food and nutrition. National policies also acknowledge malnutrition as a major challenge and outline interventions designed to address it….
Countries that have made significant progress in reducing malnutrition tend to follow similar paths. Their experiences from Asia to Latin America and across Africa offer useful lessons for Ghana as it works to move nutrition interventions from small pilot programs to nationwide coverage. One of the most consistent factors is strong political commitment at the…
Ghana has made important progress in testing effective nutrition interventions. Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) have been piloted in selected health facilities across several districts, reaching thousands of pregnant women. Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has been delivered through community programs in high-burden districts, supported by trained health workers. These initiatives demonstrate that proven nutrition interventions can…