Ghana Launches $2.15M National Nutrition Project to Tackle Acute Malnutrition
Accra, Ghana – September 24, 2025
Ghana has unveiled a landmark $2.15 million initiative aimed at transforming the country’s response to acute malnutrition, particularly among children under five. The project seeks to integrate Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) into the national health system, in a major push to make life-saving treatment both routinely available and sustainably funded.
The initiative, officially titled “Accelerating Access to Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods to Address Undernutrition through Sustainable Delivery Strategies,” is being implemented by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in collaboration with the Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Alarming Malnutrition Rates Prompt Urgent Action
According to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), 6% of children under five suffer from wasting, with 1.2% severely wasted. This translates to more than 61,600 children affected annually, yet fewer than one in six currently receive treatment.
“This project represents a shift from donor-driven, short-term support to a sustainable, system-based approach,” said a GHS representative. “Our goal is to reach 90% of children who need treatment by the end of 2026.”
What the Project Will Do
The initiative is structured in phases, with Phase 1 (Jan 2024–June 2025) already yielding major results:
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RUTF added to Ghana’s Essential Medicines List
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Revised national guidelines for managing acute malnutrition (CMAM)
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Training of over 80 master trainers
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Procurement of 13,000+ cartons of RUTF at 30% cost savings
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Distribution of essential diagnostic tools like solar-powered weighing scales and MUAC tapes
Phase 2 (July 2025–Dec 2026): Scaling Up Nationwide
The second phase of the project aims to:
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Expand treatment coverage to 90% of children with severe acute malnutrition
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Extend support to moderate wasting cases at high risk of deterioration
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Embed RUTF access into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
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Strengthen supply chains for consistent national availability
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Secure long-term government ownership and financing of nutrition services
A Shift Toward Sustainability
By integrating RUTF into Ghana’s NHIS and essential medicines list, the project intends to institutionalize malnutrition treatment, making it part of the country’s core healthcare system — not just an emergency response.
The Clinton Health Access Initiative and Eleanor Crook Foundation have committed technical and financial support, while the Ministry of Health works toward incorporating nutrition funding into the national budget.
National and Global Alignment
Health officials say the project aligns with Ghana’s commitments under the Nutrition for Growth framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
“This is a bold, necessary step,” said a CHAI spokesperson. “Every child deserves access to nutrition that keeps them alive and thriving. Ghana is setting a powerful example.”
