Breast milk is the ultimate superfood – Deputy GHS director calls for exclusive breastfeeding

Dr. Anthony Ofosu, Deputy Director General of the Ghana Health Service, has called on Ghanaians to renew their commitment to breastfeeding.

Speaking on August 6, 2024, during the week-long celebration of World Breastfeeding Day from August 1 to August 7, he highlighted the progress made in 2023.

He noted the efforts of organizations and facilities in supporting working women by providing breastfeeding-friendly spaces.

"We must all come together to support our women in providing this lifesaving, productivity-boosting food to our babies," Dr. Ofosu urged.

He outlined the Ghana Health Service's ongoing efforts, including improving staff competencies to provide accurate information and support to pregnant women, both during antenatal care and post-discharge.

This year, the theme "Closing the Gaps: Breastfeeding Support for All" aims for the inclusive nature of breastfeeding.

Dr. Ofosu also detailed several actions required to achieve breastfeeding goals, including creating breastfeeding-friendly environments, ensuring health staff adherence to ethical guidelines, and removing advertisements for breast milk substitutes in accordance with the Public Health Act.

"Let us all leave here with a collective resolve to ensure that all children born in Ghana start life right and feed right. Breast milk is the ultimate superfood,” he said.

He explained that breast milk, containing over 200 known constituents, is suited to support an infant's growth and development, protecting against infections and chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.

He called on vehicle owners and drivers to ensure their vehicles are safe for mothers to breastfeed on board.

Dr. Marion Okoh-Owusu, Director of the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service, added that exclusive breastfeeding is very important in the early lives of children.

According to the recent Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour has increased from 52% to 58%, and exclusive breastfeeding rates have slightly improved from 52% to 53.1%.

However, these figures fall short of the nation's ambitious goal of achieving over 70% in both indicators.

The Ghana Health Service plans to engage a broader range of stakeholders, encouraging the creation of breastfeeding spaces in public areas, places of worship, banks, and public services.

AM/AE

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