By Enock Akonnor enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Authorities of World Vision Ghana have held a ceremony which marked the official closure of Sekyere East District’s version of Improved Feeding Practices (IFP) for the First 1000 Days Project.
The event was held on Tuesday 27th June 2023 at the forecourt of the District assembly.
It was characterised by the presentation of awards to deserving beneficiaries, sharing of testimonies on the benefits gained by beneficiaries, exhibition of food products proceed from sweet potatoes among others.
Plagues were awarded to key partners including the Sekyere East District Assembly, the District Health Directorate, the District Steering Committee for the Project, Ministry of Food and Agriculture in recognition of their astute support and partnership for a successful implementation of the Improved Feeding Practices for the First 1000 Days Project.
Inclusive were community health volunteers, community health nurses, Agric extension agents etc.
Items such as set of utensils, knapsack sprayers, PPEs, wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, pickaxe, bicycle etc were also awarded to other beneficiaries.
The Japan Social Development Center funded project which is focused at improving the lives of children and women by equipping beneficiaries with knowledge on best feeding practices has yielded great impact in the district since its implementation notably a reduction in the rate of malnutrition among children.
Other gains as captured in testimonies of beneficiaries are an increase in men’s support for their wives visavis the management of their children’s health, hygiene and education, concern for the management of their wive’s health during pregnancy.
These among others were realised as a result of orientation received from World Vision through the project.
Rev. Emmanuel Aning, a project beneficiary shared at the event how his income generation has shot up following his involvement in the growth of sweet potatoes seedlings; a knowledge acquired through a nutrition skills training.
Addition to the above are the medicinal and health benefits tapped from the leaves of the potatoes, which according to him has been an alternative source of food supplement and herbal medicine for his family.
Abena Adoma and Sophia Owusu Mensah jointly testified at the occasion that the sale of Koko Plus and the addition of same to the daily meal of their children has earned them much income and improved the health of their children respectively.
“We will continue to sell Koko Plus and make living out of it”.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Justice Ofori-Amoah (District Director of Health Service) who doubles as the Chairman for the Steering Committee of the project underscored that the IFP has succeeded in reducing drastically malnutrition among children in the district.
He added that a good number of health workers in the district have been equipped with much knowledge through capacity building programs and that the world Vision Officials have supported them with medical equipment such as weighing scales, infantometer etc to boost their efficiency.
“It has also enhanced the delivery of health services to babies and pregnant women.”
In his address, Mr. Richard Okai (Strategy Evidence and Learning Director from West Africa Region) thanked the leadership of the district for accepting the project.
He said achievements earned in the district is a result of the strong partnership between them and key players which are the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the District Chief Executive Officer and his team.
He announced that through the project, they were able to reach out to 70 communities in the district with extension services, trained village based entrepreneurs on sale of nutritious supplements using the Koko Plus formula, trained mother-to-mother support group facilitators.
The officer added that they have been able to train male champions on dietary diversification and donated 300 bicycles to ensure the safeguarding of children.
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