As of 2025, the initiative has gained international recognition as a successful model of public-private partnership in nutrition. Building on this success, the partnership now includes efforts to support the nutritional needs of school-age children, alongside infants, through the introduction of Protein and Micronutrient Powder and other locally sourced nutritious foods.
The renewed MOC outlines several key goals and joint initiatives:
· Improve child nutrition, reduce stunting and anemia among children aged 6 months to 10 years, and eventually expand to other life stages and generations in Ghana.
· Train health workers in best practices for maternal and child nutrition.
· Strengthen distribution systems for nutritious foods and supplements, such as Protein and Micronutrient Powder.
· Promote dietary diversity and develop stronger, more resilient food systems.
The partners will also drive collaboration across sectors by embracing innovation—especially digital tools and diagnostic technology—as part of a broader strategy to achieve Universal “Nutrition” and Health Coverage in a sustainable manner.
For example, while the project initially focused on improving maternal and child nutrition, it has since expanded to collaborate with innovative tools such as an automated hematology analyzer by Sysmex Corporation, which can detect anaemia and malaria-infection in patients simultaneously in one minute, and mobile apps by NEC Corporation for health workers supporting health checkups and nutrition instructions. This multi-faceted approach has been internationally recognized as a successful model of technology-driven, multisectoral collaboration for nutrition improvement in Africa. With the new MOC, the project is expected to expand even further as a benchmark for transformative public-private partnerships.
The renewed MOC also supports Ghana’s national N4G targets—reducing wasting to 3%, increasing exclusive breastfeeding to 70%, and significantly reducing anemia to 50% among women and children by 2030. This Ghana–Japan partnership underscores a shared commitment to evidence-based, sustainable interventions that enhance maternal and child health, and positions Ghana as a leading innovator in nutrition and cross-sector collaboration.
Through this ongoing partnership, KOKO Plus Foundation, The Ajinomoto Foundation, and the Ghana Health Service continue to show their commitment to the fight against child malnutrition!