Nestlé Ghana has called for greater attention to childhood iron deficiency, warning that inadequate iron intake could have lasting consequences for children’s growth, learning and future productivity.
The company said parents and caregivers needed to pay closer attention to children’s diets and ensure that meals contained adequate sources of iron and other essential nutrients.
The call was made at the launch of NIDO Obaatanpa in Accra, where Mr Kwabena Adarkwa, Category Manager for Nutrition and Powdered Milks at Nestlé Ghana, highlighted the nutritional contribution of powdered milk in children’s diets.
He said iron deficiency remained an important public health concern because it could affect children’s energy levels, concentration, learning ability and long-term development.
According to Mr Adarkwa, a sachet of NIDO powdered milk provides about 50 per cent of the daily iron requirement for children between four and 12 years.
He, however, stressed that parents should not rely on milk alone to meet children’s nutritional needs but should combine it with other iron-rich foods.
He recommended animal protein and beans as sources of iron and encouraged parents to include fruits rich in vitamin C in children’s diets to support nutrient absorption.
Mr Adarkwa said addressing childhood iron deficiency required sustained public education and concerted action from families, businesses and other stakeholders.
He said improving children’s nutrition was essential to developing a healthy and productive population capable of contributing effectively to Ghana’s future development.
Survey Highlights Nutrition Concerns
Ms Antoinette Appeakorang, Category Development Manager at Nestlé Ghana, cited findings from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey indicating that nearly half of children under five years in Ghana had iron deficiency.
She said the nutritional challenge could have implications beyond physical health, potentially affecting children’s concentration, learning ability, school participation and physical development.
Ms Appeakorang warned that prolonged nutritional deficiencies could eventually undermine educational outcomes and reduce future economic productivity.
She said one of the most effective ways of preventing iron deficiency was to provide children with balanced diets containing sufficient sources of iron.
She reaffirmed Nestlé Ghana’s commitment to supporting efforts to improve nutrition and public awareness in the country.
NIDO Promotion Launched
The launch of NIDO Obaatanpa also featured a promotional campaign aimed at rewarding Ghanaian families who have continued to use NIDO as a family milk brand.
The promotion includes prizes such as scholarships for children and a holiday trip to Sao Tome.
Ms Appeakorang urged consumers participating in the promotion to look out for the small sachets carrying the pink promotional inscription and a unique code, and follow the instructions provided to participate.
The company said the initiative was intended to combine nutritional awareness with an opportunity to reward consumers.
