By Jones Anlimah
Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) is calling for urgent national action to address what it describes as the “silent emergency” of child malnutrition in Ghana, as the world marks the 2025 edition of World Children’s Day.
The global celebration, held annually on November 20, highlights the rights of children to survival, protection, development and participation. This year’s global theme is “My Day, My Rights,” with WOMEC adopting a national sub-theme: “Investing in Children’s Nutrition is Investing in Ghana’s Future.”
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Charity Binka, WOMEC warned that despite progress in child survival, far too many Ghanaian children continue to face preventable nutritional challenges that undermine their growth and potential.
“Every child deserves the chance to grow, learn, thrive and reach their full potential. Yet in Ghana, malnutrition remains one of the biggest threats to child survival and development,” the statement said.
WOMEC noted that children across the country continue to experience high rates of wasting, anaemia and poor dietary diversity conditions that weaken immunity, delay brain development and affect school readiness.
According to the organisation, the long-term effects of poor nutrition extend beyond immediate health concerns, influencing education outcomes, productivity in adulthood, and overall national development.
Calls for Better Access to Lifesaving Nutrition Support
A central concern raised in the statement is the inconsistent availability of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) , a critical intervention for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
While Ghana has made progress with policies on child and maternal nutrition, WOMEC stressed that no child should lose their chance at life due to lack of essential treatment.
The call formed part of activities under WOMEC’s “Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition” project, supported by the Eleanor Crook Foundation.
Appeal to Government, Parliament, Media, Parents and Communities
WOMEC urged stakeholders across sectors to escalate efforts toward improving child nutrition in the country. The organisation appealed to:
- Government leaders to prioritise funding for child nutrition and include essential commodities like RUTF under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
- Parliament to strengthen oversight on nutrition financing and safeguard children’s rights.
- The media to highlight stories of children affected by malnutrition and demand accountability from relevant institutions.
- Parents and caregivers to embrace diverse, locally available nutritious foods for infants and young children.
- Communities and civil society to continue advocating for conditions that support healthy child development.
“A child’s right to good nutrition is not negotiable. It is fundamental, urgent, and the foundation of their health, learning and future,” WOMEC emphasised.
WOMEC Reaffirms Commitment
The organisation pledged to continue amplifying the voices of mothers, caregivers and health professionals while promoting evidence-based nutrition reporting and keeping child rights central to national discourse.
