Nkrankwanta: The Dormaa West District Directorate of Health in the Bono Region has initiated its first food demonstration exercise aimed at encouraging the consumption of locally prepared diets, specifically targeting pregnant women in cocoa-growing communities within the district.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event, which took place in Nkrankwanta, was in response to rising anemia cases during pregnancy. Attendees included farmers, market women, pregnant and nursing mothers, teachers, and other community members from areas such as Kwabena Dwumorkrom, Nkrankwanta, Yaa Krom, and Krakrom. The participants were educated on proper preparation of local diets to enhance their health.
Mr. Daniel Owusu-Amponsah, the Dormaa West District Director of Health, addressed the gathering, encouraging the inclusion of fruits, mushrooms, and cocoyam leaves (kontomire) in diets due to their folic acid content. He highlighted concerns about the growing anemia cases in the area, pointing to research by the Directorate in 2025 that linked the issue to poor eating habits. Mr. Owusu-Amponsah warned that anemia could result in complications such as blood loss during delivery and contribute to preterm and underweight births. He announced that the event would become an annual initiative to promote community health.
Furthermore, he appealed for incubators for the District Hospital to care for preterm infants. Mr. Wisdom Peprah, the Dormaa West District Nutrition Officer, emphasized efforts to address the anemia surge, stating that 45 percent of the 212 women sampled were anemic. The district aims to reduce this figure to 35 percent by June, stressing the importance of educating women in farming communities on healthy eating and lifestyle practices.
The demonstration also highlighted the health benefits of traditional dishes like 'Ampesi,' 'Konkonte,' 'fufu' with soup, and 'Konkomire' stew, underscoring the nutritional value of these local staples.