New Nutrition Programme launched in Bongo District

A new nutrition programme aimed at improving the nutritional status of school children was on Friday launched in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region.

Under the Programme, Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) would be used as a tool targeting 22 communities where the Ghana School Feeding Programme is ongoing.

MIHOSO International, an NGO, is charged with the responsibility to implement the programme in the District, funded by the Dubai Care Nutrition Project.

Launching the project at a stakeholder’s meeting in Bongo, the Deputy Director of MIHOSO International in charge of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Pontius Ninwiiri, said the four-year project was aimed at supporting the education, health and nutrition of school age children living in poverty and food insecure areas.

He said benefits that communities and school children would derive from this project, MIHOSO International as an implementing partner is focusing on one out of the three objectives of the project which is Behaviour Change Communication.

Mr Ninwiiri said his outfit would also act as an intermediary between PCD and the GSFP and the project communities as well as train and support, manage and supervise Community Nutrition Volunteers who had been recruited within the project communities to engage the communities on healthy eating and healthy lifestyles issues.

Mr Thomas Abamgbire, a regional focal person of MIHOSO International, said BCC would also target market women, churches, Mosques and private homes.

The stakeholders who were made up of the Ghana Health Service, nutrition office volunteers, public health nurses, faith based organizations, traditional rulers, Social Welfare Department and Civil Society Organizations, pledged their fullest support in the implementation process.