Business News of 2026-08-20

Veep headlines Ghana’s 7th global micronutrient forum conference

Ghana will host the Micronutrient Forum (MNF) 7th Global Conference from 28 September to 1 October 2026, bringing the international nutrition community for major interactions on how countries can protect nutrition gains and accelerate action in a rapidly changing world.

Held under the theme, “Nutrition at the Frontiers of a Changing Environment,” MNF 2026 will convene researchers, policymakers, programme implementers, funders, civil society, development partners and the private sector.

The conference will connect scientific evidence with implementation experience and policy decisions, with a strong focus on practical and scalable solutions as the world approaches the 2030 development targets.

The conference is expected to be officially opened by the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, signalling Ghana’s high-level commitment to nutrition as a national development priority.

A timely global conversation

The conference comes at a critical moment for global nutrition. Climate change, humanitarian emergencies, conflict, displacement, changing food systems and tightening financial conditions are placing hard-won gains under pressure.

MNF 2026 will examine how the nutrition community can respond to these realities while building more resilient, equitable and sustainable systems for the future.

“Nutrition at the Frontiers of a Changing Environment comes at a pivotal time for nutrition. With climate change, funding cuts and humanitarian emergencies threatening the progress made, the conference will bring together the evidence on how to advance nutrition in this new environment.”

“As the leading international nutrition platform in 2026, the conference will provide a unique opportunity to take stock of progress and gaps in delivering global and regional commitments, translate evidence into tangible recommendations for research, policy and programmes, and celebrate and build on African leadership in nutrition.”

Saskia Osendarp, PhD, Executive Director, Micronutrient Forum

Connecting science, implementation and policy

The scientific programme will link discovery, delivery and decision-making through three tracks: biology and efficacy; programme design and implementation; and the enabling environment.

Discussions will cover the integration of nutrition across agriculture, food, health, climate and social protection systems; nutrition financing; dietary change in evolving food environments; protection of nutrition data; and nutrition responses in conflict and humanitarian settings.

Sessions will also consider advances in micronutrient biology, artificial intelligence and intervention design, as well as the effective and equitable delivery of fortification, supplementation, biofortification and food-systems approaches.

Attention will also be given to the governance, partnerships, policies and investments required to translate knowledge into measurable and lasting improvements in nutrition.

Ghana at the centre of African nutrition leadership

Hosting the conference in Ghana will place African expertise and locally led solutions at the centre of wider research, investment and policy discussions.

The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), which chairs the Local Organising Committee, is coordinating Ghana’s preparations with the Micronutrient Forum and partner institutions.

The event will provide a platform for professionals, institutions and emerging leaders from Ghana and across the continent to share experience, strengthen partnerships and help shape the future direction of nutrition action.

“Addressing micronutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa is an investment in human potential. It improves health, strengthens learning outcomes, raises productivity and helps build more resilient communities for future generations.”

“Ghana’s hosting of the Micronutrient Forum Conference 2026 presents a unique opportunity to elevate regional leadership, deepen collaboration and accelerate progress towards better nutrition across Africa.”

Anna Lartey, PhD, Chair, MNF 2026 Conference Committee, and Professor of Nutrition, University of Ghana

By bringing the conference to Accra, MNF 2026 will expand opportunities for regional participation and foster closer collaboration between African stakeholders and partners worldwide.

The conference is expected to generate practical recommendations to inform research, policy, financing and programme delivery beyond the four-day event.

MNF 2026 will be delivered in a hybrid format, enabling participation both onsite in Accra and online. Researchers, academics, policymakers, health and nutrition professionals, programme implementers, students, civil society organisations, development partners and private-sector institutions are invited to register and contribute to this important global exchange.