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Developing a fortified meal brand to combat child malnutrition in Ghana
Project background
In northern Ghana, 33% of children are stunted, 11% are reported to be underweight, and 6.3% are wasted, as compared to the national averages of 19%, 11%, and 5% for stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively. The situation is exacerbated by climate change, especially in northern Ghana, where the double tragedy of droughts and floods occurs during the cropping season. This leads to excessive malnutrition, which remains a pressing challenge in the north of Ghana, where various factors converge to undermine the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly children.
Understanding the complex nature of this problem, Dr Karolos Papadas and Prof. Jeff Jia from the School for Business and Society (UoY) in partnership with Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu and Prof. Seidu Al-hassan of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana and Mr. Senyo Kpelly of the Savannah and Sahel Commodities Limited (SSCL), a social business-driven SME located in northern Ghana joined forces to work on a solution to the nutrition crises, especially among children in the area. Specifically, the purpose of this partnership was to devise a targeted intervention that could foster lasting change and improve the lives of those affected by food insecurity and malnutrition in northern Ghana.
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​In 2021, following a successful grant application, this team was awarded the first African Agrifood Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) by Innovate UK (£136,816.25). The ultimate goal of this AAKTP was to develop a recipe and process a new-branded and fortified blended meal with soya, rice, and maize to feed over 200,000 needy and hungry schoolchildren in Ghana and optimise the supply chain. This project was timely and responded to recent calls to improve the quality and safety of free school meals through the Ghanaian School Feeding Programme.
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With colleagues at the University for Development Studies, Ghana, visited the School for Business and Society at the University of York in 2023.
The outcome
Two years later, by applying cutting-edge knowledge in supply chain and marketing, a new product was developed with fortified flour and only locally sourced indigenous ingredients. The product, named “C-Real”, aims to primarily feed school children and promote regenerative agriculture to improve smallholder livelihoods. “C-Real” represents an authentic, innovative, and nutritious cereal brand aiming to improve the health and well-being of children from poor households. In particular, ‘’C-Real’’ is produced using energy-efficient technology to deliver tasty nourishment conveniently. It is packed with 18 vitamins and minerals to give all the needed nutrients for children’s healthy growth and development. Importantly, it offers an instant, packaged meal (3 minutes preparation) at an affordable price. According to the market survey undertaken in local schools, two out of three school children prefer ‘’C-Real’’ to other well-known, global cereal brands because it tastes better.
The product, “C-Real”, which was developed through the AAKTP.
A school pupil in Ghana with the product “C-Real”.
A school class in Ghana sampling the product “C-Real”.
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Children in Ghana trying the product “C-Real”.
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Moreover, this project engaged a range of stakeholders in creating shared value across all steps of a farm-to-spoon strategy. In particular, the AAKTP offered the following benefits addressing the 2,3,4 and 5, UNSD Goals:
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Created a product with higher nutritional value than similar products.
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Provided sustainable jobs and income for local farmers through regenerative agroforestry.
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Reduced unemployment levels by offering job opportunities in the local farmers’ cooperatives.
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Created up to 50 new jobs to date for women.
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Provided a ready market for farms to produce at competitive prices.
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Regenerated the local economy by empowering the female merchants.
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Educated school children in deprived areas about the importance of a safe, healthy and nutritious meal.
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Trained infants’ mothers about preparing the ‘’C-Real’’ meal and educated them about its nutritional benefits.
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Provided policy-related feedback to the UK High Commission and Ghanaian government bodies to transfer the successful model of partnership to other products/industries.
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Provided expertise to local SMEs (SSCL) in marketing a product and enhancing its market performance.
“C-Real” was officially launched in March 2024 in Tamale, Ghana, where representatives of the UK High Commission and the Ghanaian Ministry of Trade and Industry stressed the project’s impact on the local economy and society.
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​​The project has provided sustainable jobs and income for local farmers in Ghana through regenerative agroforestry.
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