Ghana - National Food Fortification Program

The project represents an expansion of the existing micronutrient deficiency control program with the addition of two new food vehicles and new regulatory approaches. The Ghana Standards Board developed and approved mandatory standards for both wheat flour and vegetable oil in 2004. The project expansion includes a) introducing mandatory universal flour fortification with eight micronutrients, b) enhancing the quality and coverage of vegetable oil fortification with vitamin A, via national mandatory regulation to include all commercially produced oils, both domestic and imported. Although the GAIN supported project is primarily focused on the fortification of flour and vegetable oil, the legislation, government capacity building activities in regulation, food control and monitoring as well as the proposed social marketing campaign (including the development of a logo) will support and enhance the implementation of fortification of salt and other vehicles as well. Further to the goals mentioned above, the combined goals for Vitamin A Fortification of Wheat Flour and Oil : Reducing the prevalence of sub clinical vitamin A deficiency by 40% through the combined impact of three vehicles. This will have been achieved if the current prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in children 6-59 months is reduced from 72% to 43%.