The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in collaboration with World Vision Ghana and other partners, is seeking to strengthen the role of religious institutions in the fight against malnutrition through the development of a Nutrition Sermon Guide for faith leaders.

The initiative began with a two-day consultative meeting that brought together faith leaders and representatives of Civil Society Organisations to share knowledge and experiences towards developing a practical resource that can be used in churches to promote better nutrition practices.

The proposed guide is intended to help faith leaders incorporate accurate and practical nutrition messages into their sermons and community engagements, bringing nutrition awareness closer to families and communities.

WHY FAITH LEADERS MATTER

Speaking on behalf of the Director of the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs. Olivia Timpo, Deputy Director of the Nutrition Department, expressed concern about Ghana's nutrition indicators despite a number of interventions implemented over the years.

She said the situation was one of the reasons for developing the Nutrition Sermon Guide, described as the first of its kind in Ghana.

Mrs. Timpo urged participants to draw on their knowledge, experiences and understanding of community realities to ensure that the final guide responds to the actual nutrition challenges confronting Ghanaian families.

The approach recognises that churches and other faith communities are influential spaces where people regularly receive information, guidance and encouragement.

ADDRESSING MYTHS THROUGH THE PULPIT

For Rev. Benjamin Sarba, Faith and Development Manager at World Vision Ghana, the guide could help tackle myths and misconceptions that continue to affect how nutrition-related issues are understood in some communities.

He noted that some nutrition problems are sometimes interpreted as spiritual issues rather than health concerns.

This, he said, makes it important for faith leaders to have access to accurate information so they can help communities distinguish between beliefs and evidence-based health advice.

The intention is not to replace medical advice with sermons, but to ensure that religious platforms also become avenues for reliable nutrition education, healthy choices and timely referral to appropriate health services.

A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

The consultative meeting also sought to strengthen collaboration among faith-based organisations, health institutions, civil society organisations and development partners.

Stakeholders say the fight against malnutrition cannot be left to the health sector alone.

Families, schools, communities, religious institutions and other social structures all influence what people eat, how they understand nutrition and how they respond to health information.

Bringing these actors together could therefore provide a broader platform for improving nutrition awareness and encouraging healthier practices.

FROM ONE FAITH COMMUNITY TO BROADER RELIGIOUS ENGAGEMENT

The meeting was attended by faith leaders from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, as well as students from the Akrofi-Christaller Institute and Trinity Theological Seminary.

As the initiative progresses, other religious groups are expected to be invited to contribute to the development of similar sermon guides, paving the way for broader faith-based participation in nutrition advocacy.

This could be significant in a country where religious leaders often have direct and sustained contact with families and communities.

TURNING THE PULPIT INTO A HEALTH EDUCATION PLATFORM

The proposed Nutrition Sermon Guide offers an opportunity to move nutrition education beyond hospitals and clinics and into places where people regularly gather.

A sermon may reach a family that does not attend a health education session. A faith leader may also be in a position to challenge harmful beliefs, encourage healthier practices and direct people to professional support when necessary.

For Ghana's nutrition situation to improve, however, the guide will need to be more than a document. Its real value will depend on whether faith leaders can understand it, use it appropriately and translate its messages into practical actions within their congregations and communities.

The ongoing collaboration between the Ghana Health Service, World Vision Ghana, faith leaders and other stakeholders therefore represents an important step towards making nutrition a shared community responsibility.

Ultimately, the initiative seeks to ensure that the message of healthy nutrition is heard not only in health facilities, but also in churches, homes and communities where everyday health decisions are made.

Credit: This report is based on information published by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Public Relations Unit, on September 3, 2026, with acknowledgement of World Vision Ghana, participating faith leaders, CSOs, Akrofi-Christaller Institute and Trinity Theological Seminary.