"Greater Accra records lowest double burden of malnutrition" - Ghana Statistical Service

The Greater Accra Region has recorded the lowest prevalence of the Double Burden of Malnutrition (DBM) in Ghana, highlighting a sharp contrast in nutritional outcomes across the country, according to newly released district-level data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

Speaking at the dissemination of six district-level reports derived from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), the Acting Deputy Government Statistician, Alhaji Omar Seidu, described the findings as both encouraging and deeply troubling.

He explained that districts within Greater Accra—La Dade-Kotopon, Adentan, and Accra Metropolitan—posted DBM prevalence rates of 3.1 percent, 3.3 percent, and 3.8 percent respectively, making the region the lowest nationwide and significantly below the national average of 11.7 percent.

According to Alhaji Seidu, the Double Burden of Malnutrition reflects the simultaneous presence of child stunting and maternal anaemia, a condition that undermines child development, weakens maternal health, and entrenches cycles of poverty.

“Greater Accra’s performance demonstrates the dividends of improved access to healthcare, better nutrition, diversified diets, and relatively stronger infrastructure associated with urban settings,” he stated.

However, he warned that the positive story in Greater Accra must not obscure the stark inequalities elsewhere.

Alhaji Seidu revealed that several districts in the Northern and North East regions recorded DBM prevalence levels more than twice the national average, with figures exceeding 20 percent in some areas.

He described the gap of over 22 percentage points between the best- and worst-performing districts as evidence of deep structural disparities in access to food security, healthcare, and social services.

“These disparities are disturbing and unacceptable. They call for urgent, integrated, and district-specific interventions, particularly in northern Ghana, where children and mothers remain disproportionately affected,” he emphasised.

The Acting Deputy Government Statistician stressed that the district-level insights were made possible through the application of Small Area Estimation techniques, which combine data from the 2022 GDHS and the 2021 Population and Housing Census to generate reliable indicators for all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He noted that the availability of such granular data equips local authorities and health directorates with the evidence needed to design targeted nutrition, health, and social protection programmes.

“The purpose of this data is action. We expect Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to use these findings to prioritise interventions, allocate resources effectively, and close the nutrition gap across regions,” Alhaji Seidu said.

The reports form part of broader efforts by the Ghana Statistical Service to support evidence-based planning and track Ghana’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

He concluded by calling on government agencies, development partners, and civil society organisations to deepen investments in nutrition-sensitive interventions to ensure that no district is left behind, despite the relatively strong performance of Greater Accra.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Hawa Abubakar