NUTRITION IN RETAIL PROJECT
Year of Implementation: 2020
Background
Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge globally, contributing to high rates of maternal and child mortality as well as increased vulnerability to infections. In many Ghanaian communities, deeply rooted myths and misconceptions surrounding nutrition influence dietary practices. Women, children, and adolescents are often restricted from consuming nutrient-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and milk, depriving them of essential nutrients required for healthy growth and overall wellbeing. These practices increase the risk of both immediate and long-term health complications.
In response to this challenge, the World Food Programme, in partnership with Savana Signatures, implemented the DSM/WFP Retail Project in the Sagnarigu Municipality and Karaga District of the Northern Region. The intervention aimed to reduce the double burden of malnutrition among pregnant women, children under five years, and adolescent girls through improved nutrition knowledge and practices.
Strategy
Through this project, Savana Signatures deployed Social and Behaviour Change Communication interventions to promote the consumption of fortified and locally available nutritious foods. The approach targeted high-risk groups while also engaging the broader population of the Sagnarigu Municipality and Karaga District to foster sustained community-wide behaviour change around healthy dietary practices.
Key Highlights
- Capacitated 116 health workers to educate 1,637 pregnant and lactating mothers on adopting a four-star diet using locally available nutritious and fortified foods.
- Built the capacity of 21 School Health Education Programme Coordinators to educate 3,016 students on the four-star diet and the importance of fortified foods.
- Delivered 27,536 nutrition messages via mobile phones to 2,821 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, supporting the adoption of four-star diet practices within households.
Improved the nutrition knowledge of 483,905 people on the four-star diet and Obaasima fortified foods through radio and television programmes, murals, community outreach, and health facility education sessions.