05/06/2026
CHANGE Project Expands Dry Ration Support to Vulnerable Communities Across Three Regions in Ghana
Tamale, Ghana – Thousands of vulnerable children and families across three regions of Ghana, Northern, Savannah, and Upper East, are set to benefit from an expanded dry ration distribution initiative under the CHANGE Project, aimed at tackling child malnutrition and improving household food security.
The intervention, supported by the Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada, is being implemented through a coordinated system involving health facilities, community-based volunteers, and local women’s groups. The initiative focuses on providing nutrient-rich complementary foods such as Foniomilplus and Milky Fonio to children identified as malnourished.
A total of 26,393 sachets of legume-cereal mixes, including Foniomilplus and Milky Fonio, have been supplied to support the management of malnutrition among 6,000 children under five. In the Northern Region alone, the programme is expected to reach several districts, including Kumbungu, Tolon, and Nanumba South, where 5,463 sachets of Foniomilplus and 3,333 sachets of Milky Fonio will be distributed through CHPS compounds and health centres.
Each district received carefully allocated supplies. For example, Kumbungu District recorded 1,821 sachets of Foniomilplus and 1,111 sachets of Milky Fonio, with similar quantities distributed across Tolon and Nanumba South districts. These rations are expected to support caregivers in providing consistent, nutritious meals to children undergoing growth monitoring and nutrition rehabilitation.
Beyond direct distribution, the CHANGE Project is also prioritizing sustainability by supporting the local production of the rations. Women’s groups in participating communities are increasingly being trained and equipped to process the food supplements locally, creating economic opportunities while ensuring a steady and accessible supply.
During the handing over of the rations at the Northern Regional Medical Stores of the Ghana Health Service, Chief of Party for the CHANGE Project, Ethel Sakitey, highlighted the initiative’s dual impact on both nutrition and livelihoods:
“Women in our communities have begun processing these rations locally, ensuring that children receive the nutrition they need while also creating income for families to meet other essential needs. Our greatest joy will be seeing children transition from all forms of malnutrition to a fully nourished state. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada for this invaluable support.”
Health workers at beneficiary facilities have welcomed the intervention, noting that access to ready-to-use, locally acceptable foods is critical to improving recovery rates among children enrolled in nutrition programmes. Frontline health workers will work closely with caregivers to ensure proper usage of the rations, alongside education on infant and young child feeding practices.
The dry ration distribution forms part of a broader integrated strategy under the CHANGE Project, which combines nutrition-sensitive agriculture, behaviour change communication, and social protection measures to address the root causes of malnutrition in underserved areas.
As Ghana continues its fight against child malnutrition, initiatives like the CHANGE Project demonstrate that community-driven solutions, paired with strong international support, can deliver lasting improvements in child health and family wellbeing.
