The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), has officially launched the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network (SBN) in Ghana on December 12th, 2024 in Accra. The private-sector platform aims to address malnutrition by empowering businesses to act, invest, and innovate in alignment with Ghana’s nutrition priorities.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. David Quaye Annang, Vice Chair of NDPC, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in transforming Ghana’s food systems. “The establishment of the SUN Business Network reflects our understanding that sustainable nutrition solutions require active engagement of the private sector. Businesses drive innovation, enhance value chains, and promote sustainable practices that improve health outcomes and contribute to economic growth,” he stated.
Ms. Aurora Rusiga, Country Director of WFP Ghana, highlighted the challenges of malnutrition in the country and the role of the private sector in addressing them. “Malnutrition in all its forms remains one of the most pressing challenges. The private sector is uniquely placed to drive production, distribution, and affordability of nutritious foods, which are critical to tackling these challenges,” she noted.
The SUN Business Network (SBN) launch brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including Hon. David Quaye Annang, Vice Chair of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC); Ms. Aurora Rusiga, Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), representatives from the private sector like Enyonam Manye , the founder and CEO of Count on Crops Hub and host of The Ghanaian Farmer TV show, development partners, government officials, and other key actors in the food and nutrition space.
The SUN Business Network (SBN) is part of the global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, which Ghana joined in 2011 to combat malnutrition. The SBN focuses on engaging the private sector to promote sustainable, nutritious food systems, addressing challenges like stunting and anemia while supporting national development goals.
Since August 2022, NDPC and WFP have conducted activities, including stakeholder consultations and drafting a constitution, to operationalise the network. The launch marks a significant step in fostering collaboration among businesses, government, and development partners to ensure improved nutrition for all Ghanaians.
