Florence J Martin

Ghana Cookbook Guide Florence J Martin

The Ghanaian diet largely relies on starchy roots (cassava, yams), fruit (plantain) and cereals (maize, rice). Starchy roots and cereals still supply almost three quarters of the dietary energy and diversity of the diet remains low. The dietary supply meets population energy requirements, but the share of protein and of lipids in the dietary energy supply is lower than recommendations. Rapid urbanization has modified food consumption patterns in urban areas, with an increasing demand for imported food, especially wheat and rice. Over the last decade, prevalence of undernourishment has decreased considerably. However, food insecurity persists, mainly due to unstable production, insufficient purchasing power and problems of physical access due to a lack of road infrastructure in the northern part of the country. Breastfeeding is a common practice and, thanks to efficient promotion programmes, early initiation of breastfeeding is becoming more widely practiced. However, only half of children under 6 months are exclusively breastfed and complementary feeding practices are inadequate. These feeding practices combined with food insecurity of households and low access to health services are among the main causes of malnutrition among young children. Nearly a quarter of preschool children are stunted (i.e. affected by chronic malnutrition). Based on this prevalence rate, the severity of malnutrition is defined as "medium" at national level. However, regional disparities are marked; prevalence of chronic and acute malnutrition (i.e. stunting and wasting, respectively) is higher in the Northern and Upper East regions. Nevertheless overall prevalence of underweight is declining. Meanwhile the country is undergoing a nutrition transition. Among adult women, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high, especially among those living in urban areas, while undernutrition persists, particularly in the Upper East region.