World Vision Ghana, in partnership with the World Bank/Japan Social Development Fund and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has launched the ‘Improved Feeding Practices for the First 1,000 Days’ project.
This initiative aims to enhance dietary diversity and improve the nutritional status of women of reproductive age in three districts: Sekyere East, Kintampo South, and Kasenna Nankana.
Malnutrition, or undernutrition, is a significant health issue caused by inadequate intake or improper utilization of nutrients. It poses a serious threat to both adults and children, with research highlighting that children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of this condition.
Recognizing the severity of malnutrition, World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with various partners, has implemented a project to promote better feeding practices during the crucial first 1,000 days of life.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Health Technical Programme Manager of World Vision Ghana, Awurabena Quayeba Dadzie, emphasized the urgent need for a collective effort to combat malnutrition.
“This project aims to support and educate Ghanaian communities, particularly in rural areas, on improving their diets to achieve necessary nutrition for healthy living. It also helps them identify and grow nutrient-rich crops for their families’ benefit,” she stated.
The 2022 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) revealed that maternal undernutrition is a leading cause of maternal and child mortality and morbidity, especially in low and middle-income countries.
In Ghana, the national anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) is 40 percent, with regional variations. The highest prevalence is in Oti (51 percent), followed by Northern Ghana (48 percent) and the Central Region (44 percent). Additionally, 51 percent of pregnant women in northern Ghana suffer from anemia.
Malnutrition is a significant barrier to socio-economic development in Ghana. Poor nutrition compromises cognitive and physical performance, ultimately impairing productivity. Experts stress that improving dietary diversity is essential for better reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health outcomes.
The “Improved Feeding Practices for the First 1,000 Days” project sought to increase access to nutritious foods, enhance household-level agriculture, and raise nutrition awareness through targeted messaging.
As part of this initiative, World Vision Ghana distributed micronutrient-rich vegetables, fruit seedlings (such as moringa, orange-fleshed sweet potato, pawpaw, and mangoes), and poultry to vulnerable households. In total, 1,609 households received starter crops.
Monitoring data showed significant improvements in dietary diversity. The proportion of women of reproductive age consuming food from at least five food groups increased from 11.4 percent to 96.8 percent within a year (p<0.001).
World Vision Ghana’s collaborative efforts with international and local partners highlight the importance of addressing malnutrition to improve health outcomes and enhance socio-economic development in affected communities.
