Improving nutrition in rural Ghana: A glimpse at the first decade of the University of Ghana Nutrition Research and Training Centre

Abstract

Large disparities in nutrition persist in Ghana -- across regions and urban-rural settings as well as by sociodemographic classifications including sex, age, education, and wealth. Over the last 10 years, the University of Ghana Nutrition Research and Training Centre (NRTC) in the Eastern Region has provided support for national and international researchers to enhance the understanding of nutrition disparities and design interventions to improve rural lives. Nutritional status is affected by many determinants that must be addressed through coordinated activities in health, education, agriculture, finance, business, among other areas. Close collaborations through participatory research methodologies with stakeholders – from community residents to district directors – enhance the potential of sustainable intervention benefits. The projects at the NRTC work with local institutions to enrich the knowledge and skills of district staff to promote their services to the community and expand residents’ ability to address the daily challenges to providing a nutritious diet and healthy environment for their families. A decade of training and research at the NRTC has demonstrated that multi-sector approaches can improve rural nutrition and well-being.