Nutrition-sensitive education and social protection policies have implications for food-based dietary guidelines for Ghana

Abstract

Ghana continues to address persistent malnutrition through political action and programme development. Government-led efforts have included  the formulation of multi-sectoral policies and programmes to improve the diet and nutritional status of various at-risk population groups. Globally,  an important tool for promoting healthy diets are Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FDBGs). To achieve and sustain the desired goal of promoting  healthy eating habits and lifestyles, FBDGs require, among many factors, supportive national policies and programmes. When coherently  incorporated in relevant nutrition-related policies and programmes, FBDGs enhance their impact on shaping and sustaining healthier dietary habits.  In this context, it is essential to understand the national policy and programme environment and its potential contribution during the  formulation of FBDGs. The present review aimed to identify existing nutrition-related education and social protection policies and programmes in  Ghana and their relevance to the development and implementation of FBDGs. Previously conducted scoping reviews, gap analyses, and a  benchmarking report of Ghana’s public health nutrition policies were used as information sources to identify relevant policies and programmes.  Additionally, websites of relevant government ministries, departments and agencies were searched to retrieve applicable policies or actions that  were not included in previous reviews. Nutrition-related education policies that were identified primarily support school health services, whereas  social protection policies broadly target social assistance, social welfare, social equity and insurancebased policies and programmes. Specific ways  these policies and programmes could support the development and implementation of Ghana’s dietary guidelines include embedding FBDGs in the  school nutrition curriculum to motivate healthier food choices by schoolchildren and using FBDGs to plan meals provided as part of the country’s  school feeding programme. Regarding social protection, existing instruments such as food transfers, social pensions and conditional cash transfers  could be aligned with FBDGs to ensure vulnerable households can access foods and follow recommended guidelines. Although some nutrition  actions are incorporated in existing policies and programmes, there are opportunities to improve their nutrition sensitivity.