The issue of nutrition is least discussed in connection with its relevance to national development. Research has shown that a country cannot develop wholly if good nutrition is under estimated.
Ghana like most Africa countries in the sub Saharan still battle with this menace in expense of development. Focusing on Ghana, the three Northern regions have been identified with high malnutrition with children under age five. Statistics from the World food programme comprehensive Food security and vulnerability analysis in 2012 showed that 22.4 per cent of households in the Upper West region were moderately food insecure and 1.4 per cent was severe food unsecured and similarly in the other two regions
All these acute malnutrition problems though could be prevented and managed with optimum nutrition and improved health still keeps on increasing till date.
In view of this, the Food and Agriculture Origination under the United Nations yesterday organized its 2nd Africa Regional nutrition coordination and programming consultation at the Alisa Hotel Accra to help put measures in place to tackle the nutritional issues in Africa and Ghana in particular.
According to the Director of nutrition for FAO in Rome Mrs. Anna Lartey, Ghana has given a little attention to the issue of malnutrition despites it key role in development and this according to her has been a key issue in developing countries not alone. But noted attention is gradually being drawn to it for the best ten (10) years
She noted that, FAO with this programme and other activities will sensitize the people and governmental bodies on diet management and its relevance in national development bringing on board the effect of obesity as well.
The Assistant Director- general of FAO in Rome, Jomo Kwame Sundaram , added that FAO as an intergovernmental organization and an advisory board with their key interest in developing young nations , their doors are forever opened to government to render assistance in the area of nutrition .
He recommended for balanced diet for children at age five in the school feeding programme since they mostly fall victim to malnutrition.
He drew attention to the need to maintain sanity in the country to curb the cholera phenomenon outbreak in the country.
Source: ritefmonline.org
