A site visit to SUN Civil Society Alliance in Ghana - blog from Carolyn MacDonald

Carolyn MacDonald, SUN CSA Steering Group member and World Vision International Nutrition Director

In December I had the privilege of spending two days with SUN Movement partners in Ghana. The clear consensus from all our interactions was that Ghana needs a multi-sectoral approach to improving nutrition, with a single national action plan which all sectors can contribute to and support. Progress has already been made towards this, with regular meetings of a Cross-Sectoral Planning Group and an updated draft National Nutrition Policy. SUN Movement advocacy in Ghana is therefore recommended to focus on four key steps which will set the stage for effective multi-sectoral action on nutrition:

• Completion of approval process for the National Nutrition Policy

• Nutrition situation assessment and analysis

• Development and costing of National Nutrition Action Plan

• Identification of a Nutrition Champion

Ghana is now considered a Middle Income Country. However internal disparities remain. Malnutrition levels are much higher in the north of the country, where basic services lag behind what is available in the south. Incentives are needed to encourage skilled nutrition and health professionals to relocate to northern areas and build up effective systems and services. There are also pockets in the Southern region where nutrition practices are poor. Exclusive breastfeeding rates have decreased in Ghana from 63% in 2008 (DHS) to 43% in 2011 (Ghana Health Services, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey). This is a major cause for concern.

The Ghana Civil Society Coalition (GHSCSSUN) has mapped civil society organizations supporting nutrition and prepared a Communication Strategy. GHSCSSUN is currently drafting a Constitution and TORs for sub-committees. Finalizing these governance policies is an immediate priority, followed by advocacy in line with the four focal areas listed above. Consensus must also be built among many stakeholders in order to establish a truly multi-sectoral approach to improving nutrition. A costed National Nutrition Action Plan will provide guidance to the various government departments on their necessary contributions. And there is experience to draw from. World Vision Ghana has effectively facilitated collaboration on planning, implementation and monitoring of nutrition-focussed interventions between the Ministries of Health and Food& Agriculture at both the district and community level in Kumasi and 10 additional Districts. Opportunities to replicate and build on this experience are being explored.