By Stephanie Mork, communications analyst in USAID’s Bureau for Global Health

Almost half of all deaths for children under 5 are attributable to malnutrition — this is why improving nutrition is imperative to achieving USAID’s global maternal and child survival goals. Climate change, conflict, and the lasting impacts of COVID-19 have all exacerbated rates of global malnutrition and contributed to the global food security and hunger crisis. But with the right tools, policies, government inputs, and community support, malnutrition is largely preventable.

In Ghana, progress to reduce malnutrition has improved, but almost 7 percent of children under 5 are still affected by wasting — the deadliest form of malnutrition. The Government of Ghana is committed to addressing nutrition challenges across the country. USAID partners with the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to improve facility-based and community nutrition services, with a focus on northern Ghana.