High-Level meeting: “West African leaders’ commitment to fight malnutrition”

Accra, 10 November 2008 - The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is organizing a high-level meeting entitled "West African leaders' commitment to fight malnutrition".

The event will take place on 11 November 2008 in Accra at the Labadi Beach Hotel. Mr. E.K. Agyarko, CEO Ghana Food and Drugs Board, Mr. Marc Van Ameringen, Executive Director GAIN and Major (rtd.) Courage Quarshigah, The Hon. Minister of Health of Ghana, will open the conference. Mr. P.V. Obeng, Board Chairman Ningo Salt, Mr. Shawn Baker, Vice-President and Africa Regional Director of Helen Keller International and Ms. Hajia Alima Mahama, The Hon. Minister of Women and Children Affairs of Ghana will be among the key speakers.

Malnutrition is a largely preventable condition, yet it is the underlying cause of 3.5 million child deaths every year. "Malnutrition in all its forms amounts to an intolerable burden" says Marc Van Ameringen, Executive Director of GAIN, "not only on national health systems but on the entire cultural, social and economic fabric of nations; it is the greatest impediment to the fulfillment of human potential".

In West Africa, 37.2 million people are undernourished (FAO, 2004). Under-five and maternal mortality rates are amongst the highest in the world. One in three children under the age of five is undernourished and many are affected by acute and chronic malnutrition (UNICEF). In Ghana for example, 22.4% of children under five are stunted and 17% are underweight (UNICEF-MICS 2006). The prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five in Nigeria is 38.3% and 28.7% are underweight. Recent nationwide surveys in Côte d’Ivoire indicate that chronic malnutrition affects an estimated 34% of children under five years, while an estimated 20.2% are underweight. In many countries in the Sahel region, notably Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the prevalence of acute malnutrition is between 10.6% and 18.6% (CDC/UNICEF/Demographic Health Surveys), indicating that the nutritional situation is dramatic.

Furthermore, millions of people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies (so-called hidden hunger) and are especially lacking in iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc. It is estimated that Ghana will lose 1.1% of GDP because of these vitamin and mineral deficiencies (VMD report 2004), Mali 2.7% and Nigeria 0.7%. Undernutrition is the main threat to the health and well-being of these populations. For example, anemia impairs neurological development in infants and reduces scholastic performance in children of school age. The lack of vitamin A leads to night blindness and increases rates of child mortality.

Despite the impact of malnutrition on mortality, morbidity and national economies, a disturbingly low proportion of the total international resources for health-related development assistance are allocated to nutrition activities. At country level, the political and financial commitment and human resources accorded to nutrition is even less. According to Jay Naidoo, Chair of the GAIN Board, "adequate food is a human right and good nutrition is essential to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Without progress towards tackling malnutrition in West Africa, these goals will not be achieved".

To date, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition has committed close to US$ 9 million to long-term fortification projects in the West Africa region and GAIN is in the process of making new investments as part of a regional strategy aimed at reducing micronutrient deficiencies and alleviating hidden hunger. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is an alliance of governments, the private sector and civil society that fights malnutrition by mobilizing public-private partnerships. GAIN has set itself the target to improve the health and productivity of people and economies by delivering better nutrition to 1 billion people. I

n Ghana, GAIN is currently supporting the National Food Fortification Program, a 3 year public-private initiative to reduce anemia, folic acid and vitamin A deficiencies through the consumption of fortified wheat flour and vegetable oil. GAIN’s grant amounts to US$ 1,808,028. The goal of this project is to improve the nutritional situation of vulnerable and at-risk groups, by reducing micronutrient deficiencies. 65% of children from 2 to 5 years and 40% of women of reproductive age suffer from anemia. 60% of children under six suffer from Vitamin A deficiencies (VMD report 2004). GAIN is also in the process of financing projects in Ghana on complementary foods for children 6 to 24 months of age and with UNICEF in the area of Salt Iodization. GAIN also supports large scale fortification programs in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Nigeria.

For more information about GAIN's commitment in West Africa, reaching almost 9 million USD, please visit the page: http://www.gainhealth.org/west-africa.

For more information: Frédérique Tissandier. Media Relations. 00 41 22 749 1845 ftissandier@gaingeneva.org