Advocacy for the Ghana Food System Guidelines

Advocacy for the Ghana Food System Guidelines

The Ghana Food System Guidelines (GFSG) represent a landmark achievement in aligning national food and nutrition priorities with evidence-based dietary guidance. Developed through a multi-sectoral process and coordinated by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in partnership with the University of Ghana School of Public Health, these guidelines are an essential tool for creating an enabling environment where healthy diets are not only recommended but also accessible and affordable.

Significance for Nutrition

The guidelines expand the reach of the National Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) by translating individual dietary recommendations into systemic actions. They highlight practical strategies to:

• Increase availability and affordability of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and animal-source foods.

• Promote consumption of diverse diets to tackle both undernutrition and the growing burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

• Encourage healthy practices such as safe food handling, responsible use of oils, and adequate hydration, all of which are fundamental to nutrition security.

Contribution to Public Health

Public health challenges such as rising NCDs, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies cannot be addressed by nutrition education alone. The GFSG emphasize structural actions including:

• Food safety regulations, ensuring perishable foods reach consumers in safe conditions.

• Policies to reduce unhealthy food consumption, such as taxes on ultra-processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt.

• Promotion of physical activity and reduction of alcohol intake, bridging nutrition with holistic well-being.

These actions contribute directly to disease prevention, improved child development, and healthier adult populations, thereby reducing health system costs and improving quality of life.

Policy Formulation and Governance

The guidelines provide a menu of policy options for government agencies, civil society, private sector, and local authorities. They recommend:

• Fiscal policies such as subsidies for nutrient-rich foods and taxation on unhealthy foods.

• Public procurement policies ensuring schools, hospitals, and state programs provide nutritious meals.

• Labeling and marketing regulations to protect consumers, especially children, from misleading food promotions.

By offering evidence-informed, context-specific actions, the GFSG bridge the gap between nutrition science and governance, enabling policymakers to implement coherent, cross-sectoral strategies.

Intervention Design and Implementation

One of the greatest strengths of the GFSG is its role in practical intervention planning. The document provides clear pathways for:

• Scaling up school feeding programs with locally sourced nutrient-rich foods.

• Strengthening value chains to reduce food loss, stabilize prices, and ensure year-round access.

• Leveraging community-based initiatives such as school gardens and urban agriculture to complement national efforts.

These recommendations make the GFSG an operational tool that communities, NGOs, and government bodies can adapt to their local contexts.

Linking with FANIS – The Newest Addition

The integration of the Food and Nutrition Intelligence System (FANIS) data into Ghana’s food systems landscape enhances the practicality of the GFSG. FANIS tracks the inflow and outflow of priority foods across major markets, offering real-time evidence to:

• Monitor whether recommended food groups are consistently available.

• Identify gaps in supply chains that hinder access to nutritious foods.

• Support targeted interventions and timely policy adjustments.

By combining the normative framework of the GFSG with the evidence-driven monitoring power of FANIS, Ghana is better equipped to design interventions that are both scientifically grounded and operationally feasible.