A stakeholders forum organized by Nestlé Ghana Ltd. to mark 2021 World Food Day and two years anniversary of the Live Strong with Iron Campaign has called for a shift towards regenerative food systems.
Making the call at a stakeholders’ forum in Accra, Georgios Badaro, Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Ltd. said, “To secure a better future for generations to come, we need to go beyond sustainability and transition to a regenerative food system – one that aims to protect and restore the environment, improve the livelihoods of farmers and enhance the well-being of farming communities.”
“Working with our food system partners, including our network of farmers and suppliers, Nestlé will advance regenerative farming practices at the heart of the food system. Nestlé cannot do it alone, we need to continue to work together with our various expertise for the good of Ghanaians”.
The World Food Day event under the theme “Our actions are our future- better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life”, also had stakeholders who shared knowledge on Agri-food systems, Nutrition, Iron Deficiency, and Food fortification as well as food safety.
Mr. Kofi Essel, Head of Food Industrial Services Support Department at the Food and Drugs Authority, emphasized the importance of food safety in ensuring the good health and wellbeing of Ghanaians. He entreated the public to be food safety conscious, and highlighted that “if it is not safe, it is not food”.
Ms. Paulina Addy, President of Women in Agriculture, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, made a call to action and encouraged Ghanaians to venture into home gardening in their homes as this will help them have total control of the crops and their safety.
Professor Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Professor of Nutrition and Public Health Advocate speaking on healthy diets, noted that nutritious foods can be affordable. She encouraged the public to take healthy diets seriously to help prevent malnutrition as it is linked to wellbeing and productivity.
In 2019, Nestlé Ghana launched the Live Strong with Iron campaign, an Iron Deficiency Awareness campaign that has reached about 12 million Ghanaians with education through media and community engagement.
Through Nestlé Cocoa Plan and Nestlé Cereals Plan programs, over 20,000 farmers have benefited from capacity building and economic empowerment initiatives in Ghana.