The contribution of the National Nutrition Policy in addressing Ghana's social determinants of health and nutrition inequalities

Abstract

One of the major challenges for developing countries is growing economic prosperous while eradicating poverty and lowering social and health inequalities. The National Nutrition Policy of Ghana (NNP) was launched in July 2016 to ensure optimal nutrition for people living in Ghana, promote child survival, and enhance capacity for economic growth and development. A review of the policy was conducted in 2018 where the effectiveness of the policy in meeting its objectives was ranked as poor, impacting negatively on the social determinants of health. This article analyzes the NNP by using the Kingdon Framework to determine how problems, politics, and the policy itself can act as a tool to address the factors that have a significant influence on an individual’s health and well-being, especially the marginalized in society.