Category: Blog

In a strategic meeting that highlights the commitment to improve infants and young child nutrition in Ghana, Mr. Yusuke Takahashi, Country Director of the KOKO Plus Foundation, recently met with Professor. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Acting Director-General of Ghana Health Service, to discuss the expansion of the Ghana Nutrition Improvement Project.

The meeting was marked by substantive discussions focused on key areas of collaboration and centered on deepening the existing partnership between the KOKO Plus Foundation and the Ghana Health Service. By aligning institutional goals and resources, both organizations aimed to create a better framework for delivering nutrition interventions, using KOKO Plus®️ and nutrition education to improve nutrition and health outcomes in Ghanaian children.

Another objective was to develop a comprehensive strategy for scaling the Ghana Nutrition Improvement Project across all districts in Ghana, ensuring that no child is left behind. Recognizing that successful partnerships require continuous adaptation, both parties reviewed and updated the existing Memorandum of Cooperation and explored the different facets of nutrition interventions.

The economic implication of this partnership is significant. According to the Global Nutrition Report, malnutrition represents losses of 11 percent of gross domestic product annually in Africa and Asia. Each dollar invested in preventing malnutrition delivers an impressive $16 in return, highlighting the importance of such targeted interventions.

Still in the meeting, the two heads delved into various avenues to share the success stories from the project at international platforms like the Nutrition for Growth Summit and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), to inspire global support and potential replication of the ‘Ghana model’.  Lastly, there were further discussions on strengthening the African Health and Wellbeing Initiative (AfHWIN), a collaborative effort between Japanese and the Ghanaian government dedicated to achieving sustainable Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

This partnership approach goes beyond traditional nutrition interventions. By implementing a Social and Behaviour Change strategy coupled with a market-based model, the KOKO Plus Foundation demonstrates how innovative, collaborative approaches can push improvements in public health nutrition.

The Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to combat child malnutrition, believing that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. Through strategic partnerships, innovative solutions, and a deep commitment to community welfare, we continue to work towards a future where no child suffers from nutritional deficiencies.

The Africa Nutrition Conference is an educational event, jointly organized by the African Nutrition Society (ANS) and the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND).
The 9th Africa Nutrition Conference (ANC2024) took place this year, from October 7th to 11th 2024, at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.
The theme of the conference, “Food and Nutrition in a Changing World: Implications for Nutrition Security and Health” seeks to address key critical global issues which impact food and nutrition security and the food supply chain. The theme was chosen to highlight and reflect the succession of global and regional crises and issues currently impacting on nutrition and health, and their implications for research, practice, advocacy and the training of nutrition and health professionals in Africa.

The conference brought together students, academics, trainers, and practitioners, as well as government and non-government actors within Africa. The aim was to bring together experts in the field of nutrition to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices.
As Koko plus foundation is a nutrition focus organization, it was important for us to join associate our brand with this event.
Koko plus Foundation had the opportunity to introduce our project and our progress during one of the symposiums at the conference. We also shared the strides we have made by combining Social behavior Change with a market base approach as part of efforts to sustain the project.
Along side the conference, an exhibition was held for all 5 days that provided a platform to showcase products and services to a diverse audience of dietitians, healthcare professionals, and nutrition enthusiasts.

As Koko plus foundation is a nutrition focus organization, it was important for us to showcase our protein micronutrient powder, Koko plus. Throughout the 5 days, complimentary sampling and interactive engagements were undertaken by the Koko plus team at the exhibition. Participants has the opportunity to tasting Koko plus with either millet porridge or mashed kenkey infused with ground nut, apples and bananas to promote 4-star diet whiles demonstrating the appropriate use of Koko Plus. Through this initiative, this activity aimed at
– Enhancing brand recognition and credibility
– Building and strengthening relationships with healthcare professionals and stakeholders
– Showcasing/promoting Koko Plus’s nutritional benefits
– Gathering feedback and insights from participants”

The engagement was a success with the team interacting with at least 400 participants that attended the conference with some making a repeated visits to the Koko plus booth. Some participants from other African countries were also intrigued and requested for product samples to be taken back home.