The Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy (CAPHA) has lauded the Government of Ghana for its renewed commitment to tackling maternal and child malnutrition, following the announcement of the country’s 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Commitments at the just-ended global summit in Paris.

The coalition praised the government’s ambitious targets, which align with CAPHA’s public advocacy campaign launched in December 2024. The appeal had called on policymakers to urgently address key nutrition challenges such as stunting, anaemia, low birth weight, and poor dietary diversity among vulnerable populations.

CAPHA welcomed the targets outlined in Commitment 1, which include halving the prevalence of stunting in children under five, reducing anaemia in women of reproductive age by 50%, cutting low birth weight by 30%, and increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates to 70%.

“These are bold targets in line with the World Health Assembly Nutrition Goals,” CAPHA said in a statement. “They mark a significant step forward in Ghana’s fight against long-standing nutrition challenges.”

The coalition also applauded Commitment 7, which focuses on addressing micronutrient deficiencies through the adoption of evidence-based interventions. A major highlight is the government’s pledge to incorporate multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) into routine antenatal care.

“This intervention, strongly backed by global research, has the potential to significantly improve maternal and fetal health outcomes,” CAPHA noted.

In what CAPHA described as a “progressive shift,” the government’s Commitment 5 proposes extending maternity leave from 12 to a minimum of 18 weeks across all sectors. The coalition emphasized that this move would support exclusive breastfeeding, enhance postnatal recovery for mothers, and improve care for infants during the critical first months of life.

CAPHA further commended Commitment 2, which pledges the full implementation of Ghana’s National Food-Based Dietary Guidelines. The commitment includes public education campaigns, professional training, elimination of industrial trans fats, and the adoption of nutrition labelling systems to promote healthier food environments, particularly for pregnant women and children.

While commending the commitments, CAPHA stressed the importance of translating pledges into action. The coalition urged the government to ensure timely and sustained implementation, backed by adequate funding as promised in Commitment 9, which allocates at least USD 6 million annually for essential nutrition commodities.

“We call on the government to move beyond declarations and walk the talk,” CAPHA stated. “Strong intersectoral coordination and accountability systems will be vital to achieving these targets.”

The coalition reaffirmed its support for the government’s nutrition agenda and pledged to continue advocating for maternal and child nutrition to remain a central pillar of national development efforts.