The Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy (CAPHA) has commended the Government of Ghana for prioritising maternal and child nutrition in its newly announced 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Commitments.
The pledges were presented at the just-ended N4G Summit in Paris. CAPHA noted that the commitments align closely with its public appeal made in December 2024, in which it urged the government to address critical issues such as stunting, anaemia, low birth weight, and poor dietary diversity among vulnerable groups.
CAPHA welcomed the measurable and ambitious targets outlined in Commitment 1, which include halving stunting in children under five, reducing anaemia in women of reproductive age by 50%, lowering low birth weight by 30%, and increasing exclusive breastfeeding to 70%.
“These are bold targets in line with the World Health Assembly Nutrition Goals, and they mark a significant step forward in Ghana’s fight against long-standing nutrition challenges,” CAPHA stated.
In addition, CAPHA praised the government’s pledge under Commitment 7 to implement evidence-based strategies to tackle micronutrient deficiencies. Notably, the government has committed to making multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) a standard part of antenatal care.
“This intervention, strongly backed by global evidence, holds the potential to drastically improve maternal and fetal health outcomes,” the organisation said.
Another key highlight is Commitment 5, which seeks to extend maternity leave from 12 to at least 18 weeks across all sectors. CAPHA described the proposal as a “progressive shift” supporting exclusive breastfeeding, enhancing maternal recovery, and ensuring better early childhood care.
Commitment 2 was also acknowledged for its focus on fully implementing Ghana’s National Food-Based Dietary Guidelines.
This includes public education campaigns, training for professionals, eliminating industrial trans fats, and adopting nutrition labelling systems to improve food environments, especially for pregnant women and children.
Despite these commitments, CAPHA emphasised the need for swift and sustained implementation to ensure real impact.
The coalition urged the government to allocate sufficient funding, as promised in Commitment 9, which commits at least USD 6 million annually for nutrition commodities.
“We call on the government to move beyond declarations and walk the talk. Strong intersectoral coordination and accountability systems will be vital,” CAPHA said.
The organisation reaffirmed its support for the government and its resolve to advocate for maternal and child nutrition as a national development priority.
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