The World Initiative for Soy in Human Health and the Ghana National Egg Campaign Secretariat (GNECS) have launched a new national egg promotion campaign dubbed ‘Eggstra-O’ to educate the public about the nutritional and functional benefits of eggs for persons of all age groups.
This year’s Eggstra-O campaign, with the theme ‘Eggstra-O nutrition for all’, is set to run till end of December 2022 and will include targetted training for stakeholders in the poultry value chain across the country. The campaign will also execute public education-focused activities – such as a roadshow dubbed ‘The Eggnite Roadshow’ and institutional visits in the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Volta, Western, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
The goal is to increase awareness of eggs as a nutrient-dense protein source for everyone, which will in turn translate into a thriving Ghanaian poultry industry.
The launch, which was planned to coincide with the 2022 International Women’s Day, saw leaders and members of the Ghana National Eggs Campaign Secretariat (GNECS) and Women in Poultry Value Chain (WIPVAC), AgriHouse Foundation, Women in Agriculture (AWIA), African Women in Animal Resource Farming and Agribusiness Network (AWARFA-N) come together.
Aside from the launch, it was a moment to celebrate the contributions of women in agriculture toward development and food security.
Coordinator for GNECS, Ms. Comfort Kyerewaa Acheampong, shared some challenges that egg-sellers face which are gradually causing some of them to retire prematurely, hence the need for an Eggstra-O campaign.
“Due to the high cost of production, most farmers are leaving the scene; and those who have a lot of eggs are finding it difficult to sell due to the prices, and this is scaring people off. That is why we want to use this campaign to encourage people to eat more eggs,” she said.
Speaking on the benefits of egg consumption, dietician Ms. Naana Adjei said: “Eggs are a nutritious addition to a healthy diet for various age groups, and current evidence debunks a lot of the myths around eggs”.
She was positive that this new campaign, building on similar past ones, will educate many Ghanaians on the health benefits for both children and adults.
The Eggstra-O campaign will run till the end of December 2022 and include targetted training for stakeholders in the poultry value chain across the country. The campaign will also execute public education-focused activities, such as a roadshow dubbed ‘The Eggnite Roadshow’ and institutional visits in the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Volta, Western, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
