In Karaga District, Savana Signatures has been actively promoting the adoption of fortified and locally available nutritious foods among adolescents and pregnant women to combat malnutrition in the region.

Our team on June 3 conducted an educational session at the Tong D/A Junior High School where the pupils through drama, underscored the importance of consuming locally available nutritious foods and the value of maintaining a 4-star diet for optimal health.

The event which was attended by some parents in the community was also used to dispel misconceptions about certain categories of nutritious foods.

It was organised by Savana Signatures with support from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, and under the World Food Programme-supported Nutrition In Retail project. 

Various speakers, including the SHEP teacher and the District Nutrition officer, took turns to educate both students and parents on the significance of incorporating locally available nutritious foods into their daily diets.

They emphasised the positive impact of a 4-star diet, not only on overall health but also on educational outcomes.

Nutrition Officer for Karaga, David Alebsigo, emphasised that the abundance of local foods in the northern part of Ghana carries the same level of essential nutrients as those grown in the southern region. He reiterated that consuming these locally available foods in the right amounts can significantly improve overall nutrition.

“If you are able to consume all these locally available foods, at the end of the day, your nutrition will be improved. Nutrition is best when you consume the foods in the right amounts,” he said.

Abdul-Razak Fuseini, the SHEP Coordinator for Karaga District, highlighted the successful training of school-based health coordinators on nutrition issues through the project. As a result,  he said many schools now have dedicated days for consuming local fruits and eggs.

“We now have a lot of the schools now having specific days designated for local fruits. Not only that, we have other schools designate particular days as egg days,” Mr Fuseini said.

A parent, Zakaria Munkaila, who participated in the educational session, expressed gratitude for the helpful insights gained. He acknowledged the crucial role of nutrition in children’s growth, development, and academic performance.

The event also focused on educating adolescent girls about the significance of regularly taking their iron folic acid tablets, which are provided free of charge to prevent anaemia and ensure their well-being.

Mr. Alebsigo took the opportunity to dispel the widely held misconception that these tablets were meant for family planning, emphasising that their primary purpose is to support girls’ health.

A Project Officer of Savana Signatures, Arafat Abass, said the event has left a lasting impact on the participants’ understanding of nutrition and its pivotal role in ensuring a healthy and thriving community.