Mobile iodisation units to fight iodine deficiency

Nyanyano, (C/R), Dec. 12, GNA -The World Food Programme, (WFP) on Wednesday identified vitamins and mineral deficiency as silent killers of women and children in developing countries. Ms. Trudy Bower-Pirinis, WFP Representative, who made this known at Nyanyano in the Central Region said the UN system was determined to contribute to the elimination of the phenomenon in Ghana. She was speaking at the inauguration of three mobile iodisation units valued at 41,000 dollars for salt producers at Nyanyano in the Region.

Ms. Bower-Pirinis said the iodisation project being sponsored by Canadian International Development Agency was aimed at increasing national production, distribution and promotion of iodised salt. The Canadian grant would also strengthen local production of iodised salt and support business and distribution capacity of women's groups in the WFP beneficiary communities in the northern regions where iodine deficiency was endemic.

She said the WFP was determined to develop Ghana as a procurement hub for the supply of food commodities including iodised salt, adding; " WFP needs thousands of tones of iodised salt annually to serve development and emergency operations throughout West Africa." Mr. Archison Arthur, President of salt producers association said the association would soon set up a salt bank where salt would be iodised and sold to customers.

He said the machine could produce six tones per hour, which could boost production level and called for refresher training for members on the use of the machine.

Mr. Jacob Armah, Deputy Director of Public Health said iodine deficiency contributed to frequent miscarriages, stillbirths, low births weight and infant deaths.

Mr. Joe Badoo-Ansah, Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development said the ministry had been involved in activities geared towards production, marketing and creation of employment which were considered critical to achieve the goal of Ghana becoming a major agro-industrial economy in Africa. He said, the Ghana Trade Policy and Trade sector Support programme recognised the role of the private sector and the need to build production capacities in order to address supply constraints. Mr Badoo-Ansah said the policy would help to effectively develop and promote micro, small and medium enterprises through non-financial support for enhanced competition.