African Leaders Make an Economic Case for Increased Nutrition Investments

By Friday PhiriLUSAKA, May 31 2016 (IPS)Africa’s contribution to global malnutrition statistics is miserably high, with 58 million children under the age of five said to be too short for their age, while 13.9 million weigh too little for their height. Former Ghanaian President John Kufor and Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta.This is not only due to Africa’s food security deficit but also the lack of food diversity. While Africa is the only continent which fails to produce enough food to feed its own citizens, the continent’s nutrition lacks diversity.According to available statistics, Africa does not only spend $35 billion per year on food imports, despite having 65% of the world’s remaining arable land, but also accounts for 20 of the 24 countries with stunting rates of over 40%.“When the growth of our children is stunted today—the growth of our economies will be stunted tomorrow. But when Africa’s children are nourished and can grow, learn, and earn to their full potential, we will be able to unleash the potential of the entire continent,” said AfDB Group President, Akinwumi Adesina, during the launch of an initiative to increase investment in nutrition led by some key African leaders.New analysis from the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition shows that increased investments to meet the World Health Assembly target of reducing stunting by 40 percent by 2025 could add $83 billion in additional GDP growth in just 15 sub-Saharan A...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Africa Aid Development & Aid Economy & Trade Featured Food & Agriculture Headlines Health Poverty & SDGs Trade & Investment Source Type: news