Amen Amen Institute, an autonomous institution and a partner to the United Nations (UN), on Saturday collaborated with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to create public awareness about good nutrition.
Joined by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and some chiefs from Aburi in the Eastern Region, they embarked on a float/walk from James Town to the Ministries as part of the 43rd World Food Day (WFD) celebration.
Clad in white and accompanied by loud music blasting through speakers mounted on a vehicle as well as brass band music, participants carried placards to inform commuters about the need for healthy diets.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards were “Eat what you grow”, “Grow what you eat, eat to live, live a healthy life”; “Food safety is a must”; “Better production better Nutrition” , “Health food for all is a must.”
The WFD is celebrated annually on October 16 to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all.
Designated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) in 1979, this year’s edition which falls on a Sunday would be celebrated on Friday, October 14 in Ghana.
The Day would be marked with a flag-raising ceremony at Sogakope in the South Tongu district of the Volta Region, on the theme: “Leaving no one behind: Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.”
Addressing participants after the walk, Institute’s Founding President, Amen Amenreynolds Amen, noted that the first security for human life was food and urged all participants to relentlessly promote healthy diet.
In addition to the Gh¢10, 000 donated earlier last week to support the project, he handed over tons of food crops to the ministry for onward donation to underprivileged persons.
He pledged the continuous support of the Institute to food security.
The Deputy Director of the Ministry in charge of Finance and Administration, and Coordinator of WFD at the ministry said food was a critical aspect of human survival because it sustains mankind.
He commended Amen Amen for their support over the years to create awareness about the Day and the need for the public to take good nutrition seriously.
The Information Resource Assistant in charge of communication at FAO Ghana , David Youngs said it is imperative for all stakeholders to continue to work together to ensure enhanced food production for all .
For his part, the Shinto Apedyahene, Nana Kofi Botwe , said the chiefs joined the walk not only because of the UN’s investment in Shinto but because promotion of food security and nutrition was a worthy cause.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
