A team led by Prof. Grace Marquis, of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, is developing an innovative project to improve the health and household food security of infants and children in the Upper Manya Krobo District in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

The initiative, supported by the Government of Canada, is aimed at integrating capacity building of rural staff through health and agricultural interventions.

The project implementation will be led by Dr. Esi Colecraft at the University of Ghana, and assisted by Heifer International Ghana and World Vision Ghana.

Upper Manya Krobo district, which has a population of about 75,000, is both isolated and poorly serviced; most roads are unpaved and access is hindered especially during rainy seasons.

The project, which involves a five-year study of 3,000 households in the area, is designed to foster collaboration among workers in diverse sectors in the area including health, agriculture, education and finance to promote food security and health.

Over 300 families to benefit

Delivering the keynote address at launch of the project held in Asesewa, Dr. Frederiek Gyebi-Twum, Eastern Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said as part of the project, about 300 families will gain access to training in poultry farming, kitchen gardens, and nutrition education through collaboration with Heifer International Ghana.

He added that the project will both help families improve their diet through the addition of animal protein, expand the diversity of foods grown, and gain income through the sale of eggs.

To improve Ghana’s economy

Hon. Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie said Canada was working with the Ghanaians to help diversify Ghana’s economy to improve health services and nutrition, particularly for women and girls.

"We are proud to partner with strong academic institutions, like McGill University and the University of Ghana, to give those most in need of basic tools to escape poverty and lead healthy, productive lives," the minister said.
 
The researchers believe that this project will provide evidence to encourage integrated approaches in policy and program planning for development throughout rural Africa. 

To improve nutrition

For her part, Prof. Grace Marquis, of McGill University, Montreal, Canada said the project provides an exciting opportunity for implementation of lessons learned over the last decade in rural Ghana.

"The project will demonstrate the benefits gained by integrating nutrition into all areas of rural development and providing coherent messages along with the necessary skills and tools to implement them. The wonderful enthusiasm and dedication of our district partners since the beginning are key to the project’s success. We expect to change practices and improve the nutrition and development status of women, infants, and children in these poor, rural communities.”
 
Ghanadistricts.com