The Health and Education Directorates of the Ahafo Region have introduced a Nutrition Friendly Schools Initiative (NFSI) to combat malnutrition.

Fifty schools have been selected to benefit from this initiative.

In an interview with AdomNews, the Regional Nutrition Officer, Kwadwo Ansong explained that research conducted by Ghana Health Service reveals that most students, especially at the basic school level in the region lack the needed food nutrients to enhance their academic performance.

“Research shows that school children between the ages of 10 to 14, have health and nutrition-related issues.

“The adolescent girls go through menstruation, hence require all the needed nutrients in food to make up for the blood loss. These are the concerns we put into thinking to arrive at the initiative to assist students in the Ahafo Region,” he said.

He made the comments after the Ahafo Regional Stakeholders Engagement at Goaso held on Friday, July 23.

The Ahafo Regional Health Director, Dr. Boakye Kwabena Boateng also hinted that there will be training for teams at schools to assist the initiative achieve its goal.

Meanwhile, the Ahafo Regional Education Director, Lucy Ama Ankrah, has admonished school authorities to take steps that would ensure students are provided nutritious meals.

Madam Lucy Ama Ankrah also charged school Management's to ensure vendors who are permitted to sell food to students have the needed documents or permits to do so.

“School authorities are to ensure that people who sell foods around have the right documents and permits to engage in that. If expired, they have to renew them.

“The team that cooks for the students should be healthy and not have any contagious illness. They should also ensure the foods they prepare have the required nutrients,” she stated.