Nutrition Programs (2010 – 2020) in Ghana

Implemented by: Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ghana Health Service (GHS)
InterventionNutrition issue of interestImplementation platformTarget groupStatusCoverageImplementing agencyReported gaps
Behavior change communication on diets (Four Star diet)Address sub-optimal diets and malnutrition, including overweight and obesityGoodLife initiativeGeneral publicCurrently not being implementedNationwideGhana Health ServiceNone indicated
Mandatory Food fortification (wheat flour and vegetable cooking oil)Multiple micronutrient deficiencies- particularly ironPrepackaged market productsGeneral public Currently being implementedNationwideGhana health Service Food and Drugs Authority Flour millsSub-optimal fortificant levels in market survey Non-promotion of fortification
Universal Salt iodizationIodine deficiency disordersPackaged iodated salt on the marketGeneral publicCurrently being implementedNationwideGhana health Service, Ministry of Trade and industryUnavailability of testing kits, High cost of KIO3 suboptimal enforcement of legislation
Code of marketing of breastmilk substitutesUnethical exposure to breast milk substitutesCommunities and health systemsManufacturers, health workers, caregiversCurrently being implementednationwideGHS FDASub-optimal monitoring
Community Infant and Young Child feeding and counselingSub-optimal child feedingChild welfare clinics (CWC)Caregivers of young children <24 months Currently being implementednationwideGHS, supported by CHVEarly attrition to CWC
School meals programsSchool enrollment and participation, acute hungerschoolsBasic school childrenCurrently implementedTargeted communiti es and schoolsGES, SFP, MLGRDNone indicated
Planting for food and jobsLow agricultural yield and productivityFarming communitiesFarm householdsCurrently implementednationwideMoFANone indicated
Vitamin A supplementationPoor vitamin A statusCWCchildren<60 monthsCurrently implementednationwideGHS, supported by CHVEarly GMP attrition
Community-based management of Acute malnutrition (CMAM)Acute malnutritionCommunity case search, homebased or facilitybased managementChildren <60 monthsCurrently implementednationwideGHSLimited availability of CMAM commodities
Baby friendly-Hospitals InitiativeSub-optimal breastfeeding practicesMaternity service-providing health facilitiesPregnant and lactating mothersCurrently being implemented NationwideGHSLow coverage; only 1/3 of maternity facilities are baby friendly
Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP)growth faltering among young children Child welfare clinicsCaregivers of young children and children<60 months Currently being implementednationwideGHS, supported by CHVEarly GMP attrition
Expanded Programme on immunisation (EPI) Vaccine-preventable Infectious diseasesCWCChildren <24 monthsCurrently implemented nationwideGHSEarly GMP
Routine dewormingIntestinal worm infestationSchools ChildrenCurrently implemented nationwideGHSNone indicated
Iron folate supplementationAnemia and micronutrient deficienciesANCPregnant womenCurrently implemented nationwideGHSSuboptimal ANC attendance
Adolescents girls iron folate supplementationAnemia and micronutrient deficienciesBasic and high schoolsAdolescents girlsCurrently implemented nationwideGhS, GESNone indicated
Intermittent preventive treatment for malaria (IPT)Malaria infectionANCPregnant women Currently implemented nationwideGESSuboptimal ANC attendance
Focused Antenatal care interventionMaternity Complications, Nutrition issue of interestANC, Implementation platform(s)Pregnant women, Target groupCurrently implemented Statusnationwide CoverageGES, Implementing agency(ies)Suboptimal ANC attendance, Reported gaps
Maternity protection (maternity leave)Breastfeeding challengesWorkplace Lactating working womenCurrently implementednationwideMELR, workplaces, trade unionsInadequate duration of maternity leave, ILO convention not ratified
Livelihood Empowerment Against PovertyPoverty and limited access to resourcesCommunity-based, health facilitiesDisabled, ultra-poorCurrently implementedTargeted communitiesMGCSP, GHS, None indicated
Family planningUnplanned pregnancies and maternal malnutritionHealth facilitiesWomen and men in reproductive ageCurrently implementednationwideGHSLow coverage, cultural misperceptions regarding modern contraceptives