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, which were presented at the recently concluded N4G Summit in Paris.
CAPHA noted that the government’s pledges align closely with its December 2024 public appeal, urging action on critical issues such as stunting, anaemia, low birth weight, and poor dietary diversity among vulnerable groups.
The coalition welcomed the ambitious targets outlined in Commitment 1, including 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%.
CAPHA described these targets as bold steps in line with the World Health Assembly Nutrition Goals, marking significant progress in Ghana’s fight against long-standing nutrition challenges.
In addition, CAPHA praised the government’s Commitment 7 to implement evidence-based strategies to tackle micronutrient deficiencies, notably making multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) a standard part of antenatal care.
The organisation highlighted the potential of this intervention to greatly improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.
Another key highlight is Commitment 5, which seeks to extend maternity leave from 12 to at least 18 weeks across all sectors. CAPHA called this a “progressive shift” that supports exclusive breastfeeding, enhances maternal recovery, and ensures better early childhood care.
Commitment 2 was also acknowledged for its focus on fully implementing Ghana’s National Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, which include public education campaigns, professional training, eliminating industrial trans fats, and adopting nutrition labelling systems to improve food environments, particularly for pregnant women and children.
However, CAPHA emphasised the importance of swift and sustained implementation to achieve tangible results.
The coalition urged the government to ensure adequate funding, as outlined in Commitment 9, which promises 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 crucial,” CAPHA stated. The organisation reaffirmed its support for the government and its resolve to advocate for maternal and child nutrition as a national development priority.