A Call to Action by African Nutrition Leaders to end hunger nutritiously
The African Champions for Nutrition delivered an important Call to Action during the side event co-organised by the Zero Hunger Coalition during the UN Food Systems Summit +4 in Addis Ababa. Delivered by Hon Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the Champions call for a coordinated action to make healthy diets accessible and affordable for all.
As Hon Demeke Mekonnen Hassen noted in his closing remarks, “As African Leaders for Nutrition, we believe this is the decisive moment to shift from aspiration to implementation—to ensure every child, every mother, every community across Africa has access to the healthy, nutritious food they deserve.”
The Champions for Nutrition, an initiative of the African Development Bank, is comprised of His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho, His Excellency Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, Ms Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana, and Dr Howarth Bouis, Acting CEO of Harvest Plus.
The Call to Action, addressed to heads of State, ministers, parliamentarians, mayors, youth leaders, women, the private sector, civil society and various players and stakeholders in the frontline, as well as global partners, calls for a coordinated agenda around the following action points:
- Make Healthy Diets a National Development Priority
- Secure smart, sustainable financing at scale
- Expand game-changing solutions that nourish and empower
- Build Systems of Accountability and Results
- Speak With One Continental Voice
The burden of malnutrition remains high in Africa. Approximately 60 million children are stunted, overweight and obesity rates are rising, and the 40% of women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia.
As Hon Demeke Mekonnen Hassen concluded, “Because when food systems provide healthy diets, they bring dignity, prosperity, resilience, and peace.”
