The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), in partnership with the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network, has officially launched the SUN Business Network in Ghana. The initiative, unveiled on December 12, 2024, at the Best Premier Hotel in Accra, aims to address malnutrition through collaborative efforts among businesses, government agencies, and stakeholders.
The SUN Movement, a global initiative to end malnutrition, focuses on mobilizing businesses to promote safe and nutritious food in emerging markets. The Ghana launch underscored the importance of partnerships between local businesses, government institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure food security, especially for vulnerable populations.
Chairing the event, Hon. David Quaye Annang, Vice Chairman of the NDPC, emphasized the urgency of collective action. “The goal of this initiative is to decrease malnutrition in Ghana and globally. Both private and public businesses must come together to make this a reality,” he stated.
Madam Aurore Rusiga, a representative from the World Food Program (WFP), addressed the broader implications of malnutrition on public health. “This initiative is a wake-up call for governments to recognize the importance of nutrition,” she noted. “When we nourish our people, we strengthen our communities. Let’s work together to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food.”
Adding a scientific perspective, Professor Francis Zotor from the University of Health and Allied Sciences shared an analysis of Ghana’s food and nutrition landscape. He presented alarming statistics on malnutrition and highlighted the ambitious target of reducing stunted growth caused by malnutrition by 40%.
The event concluded with a commitment from the NDPC and various stakeholders to align efforts with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger.
The launch of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network marks a significant step in Ghana’s fight against malnutrition, promising transformative impacts on health, food security, and economic development.