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Understanding the differences between child stunting and anemia reduction and identifying outstanding challenges in Ghana.

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Stories of Change in Nutrition in Ghana

By Richmond Aryeetey, Afua Atuobi-Yeboah, Mara Van Den Bold and Nick Nisbett.

In the past decade, Ghana has seen a significant reduction in stunting among children under five years of age. However, anemia only declined marginally over the same period, with the result that the rate of child anemia continues to be a severe public health emergency. These changes occurred within a socioeconomic context considered favorable for nutrition outcomes, marked by expansion and diversification of the economy, and investments in key infrastructure, healthcare, education, and water and sanitation.  The Stories of Change in Nutrition study in Ghana aimed to better understand the changes in stunting and anemia between 2009 and 2018, as well as the potential drivers of these changes.