WOMEC Marks World Food Day with Call to Action for Better Nutrition

The Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) organization has joined the global community in commemorating World Food Day, themed “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” In a statement signed by Executive Director Dr. Charity Binka, WOMEC emphasized the need for collective action to address food insecurity, poor nutrition, and rising food prices in Ghana.

The State of Food Security in Ghana

According to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), malnutrition remains a pressing national challenge. The survey revealed that 6.7% of children under five suffer from wasting, 10.6% are underweight, and over 63% of children and 42% of women of reproductive age are anemic. Moreover, overweight and obesity are on the rise, especially among women and in urban areas.

The Need for Local Solutions

WOMEC is advocating for stronger leadership and investment in nutrition, policy action to promote sustainable local food systems, and media advocacy to drive accountability and encourage nutritious local diets. The organization is working with partners under the Nourish Ghana project to push for these initiatives.

Call to Action

On this World Food Day, WOMEC is calling on various stakeholders to take action:

Government and policymakers: Prioritize nutrition in national budgets and policies, and strengthen food and social protection programs using locally sourced, nutritious foods.
Development Partners: Support sustainable, Ghana-led nutrition financing and invest in research, innovation, and systems that build food security.
Civil Society and NGOs: Advocate for accountability in nutrition spending and empower communities to act for better food and health.
Health and Nutrition Professionals: Promote nutrition education and use locally available foods to prevent malnutrition and diet-related diseases.
Media and Journalists: Raise awareness, report on malnutrition and food issues, and highlight community success stories that inspire change.
Farmers and Food Producers: Grow and market diverse, nutrient-rich local crops using sustainable, climate-smart practices.