Kwashiorkor Continues to Plague Ghanaian Children 92 Years After Discovery

Ghana Struggles with Kwashiorkor 92 Years After Discovery

Ghana continues to battle severe child malnutrition (Kwashiorkor) nearly a century after its identification, with health officials calling for urgent action to address this persistent crisis.

Video credit to: GhanaTalksRadio

Health Director Raises Alarm

Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), expressed deep concern during a recent visit to the New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to prioritize child nutrition and health nationwide.

Kwashiorkor Continues to Plague Ghanaian Children 92 Years After Discovery
Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea (left) meets with Mr. Martin Adu-Owusu, MD of NTC

The Persistent Problem of Kwashiorkor

First identified in Ghana 92 years ago by Jamaican pediatrician Cecily Williams, Kwashiorkor remains a significant health challenge. The protein-deficiency disease, whose name originates from the Ga language meaning “Disease of the deposed baby when the next one is born,” primarily affects children during weaning.

“Despite nearly a century of awareness, two-thirds of Ghanaian children still suffer from malnutrition,” Professor Akoriyea stated, citing UNICEF data.

Nutrition Misconceptions and Growing Challenges

The health director highlighted concerning cultural misconceptions:

  • Many equate overweight children with good health
  • Childhood obesity is increasing
  • Public understanding of malnutrition remains limited

“Malnutrition isn’t just about being underweight – overnutrition is becoming equally problematic,” Akoriyea explained.

Current Nutrition Statistics in Ghana

The 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey reveals:

Condition Prevalence WHO Target
Stunting 18.2% <15%
Underweight 12.6% <10%
Wasting 6% <5%

Global Concerns and Development Goals

UNICEF’s 2023 report classifies Ghana as having “moderate to high” risk of missing child nutrition targets due to:

  • Insufficient nutrition program funding
  • Weak cross-sector coordination
  • Inadequate integration with agriculture and education

With the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline approaching, Ghana risks failing to achieve SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) without immediate action.

The Broader Impact of Malnutrition

Malnutrition encompasses:

  • Undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight)
  • Micronutrient deficiencies or excesses
  • Overweight and obesity-related diseases

In children, malnutrition causes irreversible damage to physical and cognitive development, ultimately affecting national productivity and economic growth.

BY ABIGAIL ANNOH | Original Source: Ghanaian Times

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