Ghana Tackles Child Malnutrition by Including Fathers

Kwesi Mensah thought feeding his daughter was only his wife's job until doctors told him their child was severely anemic. The 34-year-old mechanic had never attended a clinic visit, believing nutrition was women's work while he controlled the family money.

His daughter's hospital admission changed everything. Today, Mensah helps buy fruits, vegetables and healthy foods for his family, and his daughter is recovering.

Mensah's story reflects a quiet crisis in Ghanaian homes. Ghana records more than 68,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition every year, but only 16 percent of affected children get treatment in time. Health workers discovered a missing piece in the puzzle: fathers.

Sarah Yeboah knows this struggle firsthand. The 43-year-old mother watched her 14-month-old son lose weight for months while her husband refused to buy eggs, fruits and milk. "He says eggs and milk are too expensive," she said quietly. Nurses diagnosed the boy with severe malnutrition.

At Oduman Hospital, Senior Community Health Nurse Felicia Tetteh sees similar cases weekly. One mother followed every feeding instruction but returned with her two-year-old in worse condition. Her husband controlled the family income and wouldn't provide money for the special foods.

The pattern became clear to health workers. Most nutrition programs taught only mothers, but fathers controlled household finances in many homes. Without father involvement, even motivated mothers couldn't follow medical advice.

Public Health Nutrition Officer Linda Ofori-Kwakye says the solution is simple: include fathers in nutrition education. "Nutrition should not be left to mothers alone," she explained. "It is the responsibility of both parents."

Why This Inspires

Health centers across Ghana are now inviting fathers to clinic visits and teaching them about child nutrition alongside mothers. Nutritionist Dorcas Ahenkrah says the change is overdue. "We keep teaching mothers, but many mothers cannot make decisions alone," she said.

The approach addresses both knowledge and power. When fathers understand why growing children need eggs, beans and milk, they're more willing to budget for these foods. When they attend clinics, they see the health consequences of poor nutrition firsthand.

Nearly one in five Ghanaian children suffers stunted growth from poor nutrition, according to UNICEF. But families like the Mensahs prove that including fathers can turn this around, one household at a time.