A workshop to equip the media with information to support reportage on nutrition and nurturing care has been held in Accra by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Ghana Health Service (GHS).

 

The Journalists who were drawn from the print, radio, online and television networks were first taken on a tour to the Antenatal, Post-natal, Child welfare and Nutrition Departments of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital to observe their activities.

The tour was followed by an in-door discussion of early childhood and adolescent nutrition in Ghana, economic benefits of breastfeeding to the country and breastfeeding promotion regulation.

The workshop is part of activities by UNICEF and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to help throw more light on access to essential early childhood nutrition and adolescent nutrition services in the country.

According to Ghana Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017/18 report, the prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 years is high: 1 out of 5 children is stunted, wasting(thinness) is at 7 percent, and anemia among adolescent girls 15-19 years is at 48 percent.

Therefore, there is the need to expand the circle of stakeholders to be better informed and equipped with the information to support advocacy efforts to create demand for increased uptake of these services and to promote good nurturing care practices for children under 5 years.

Chief of Communication and Advocacy UNICEF, Eulette Ewart, explained that sensitising the media with relevant information will help generate incisive and impactful coverage which will inform and influence approaches and opinions of many key stakeholders.

“Change comes when people have the information they could use. This is why we are delighted that you are here. So, UNICEF is delighted to join with GHS to share key information on nutrition and its implication on the value chain and what is available to support the transitions to improving the current situations.

So, we hope that this workshop will be very beneficial opportunity for us so that we can all impact the status quo and how we can enable all children in Ghana to achieve their full potential. UNICEF and GHS are here to support you as you continue to support advocacy in respect to nutrition in Ghana,” Ms. Ewart said.

Some journalists who talked to the B&FT after the workshop expressed commitment to use their platforms to increase the coverage of essential health and nutrition among children for a healthier future.