Board Trustee and Director of Africa Catalyzing for Nutrition (AfriCAN, Prof Francis B. Zotor, has emphasised the dynamic changes occurring within the nutrition landscape, referring to them as "the hurricanes of change arising within the nutrition sector."

He highlighted AfriCAN's proactive steps in creating platforms that engage African youth and the media, fostering a new era of nutritional awareness under the theme "Good Nutrition starts with me."

He said this at the African Union (AU) Africa Day celebrations, held at the Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center on the Bertil Harding Highway. "This year's Africa Day has brought to the fore the hurricanes of change arising within the nutrition sector," said Prof Zotor.

"AfriCAN is creating a platform where African youth and the media fraternity are yielding themselves to be guided in a new dispensation of 'Good Nutrition starts with me' initiatives. Both the youth and media recognise the world is a global village and so, have resolved to reach out within their circumference of influence to create awareness of healthy nutrition habits on how to eat and what to eat."

The celebration witnessed significant participation from various African countries, particularly Ghana, Cameroon, and The Gambia. The AfriCAN Movement successfully harnessed youth innovations from these nations, showcasing the potential of young minds in addressing nutritional challenges.

The event also saw active involvement from the media, academia, and national nutrition coordinating bodies, who collectively examined both achievements and ongoing challenges in their respective countries.

A key outcome of the gathering was the unified agreement among all participants to "inform, educate, advocate, and inspire" efforts to advance the nutrition agenda across the continent. This collaborative approach aims to elevate the importance of nutrition in public discourse and policy-making, ensuring that healthy eating habits are widely promoted and adopted.

The AU Africa Day celebrations at the Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center marked a significant milestone in the continent's journey towards better nutrition.

The event not only highlighted the critical role of good nutrition in enhancing the quality of life but also showcased the collective resolve of African youth, media, and stakeholders to drive meaningful change.

As Africa continues to navigate the complexities of nutrition and health, initiatives like those spearheaded by AfriCAN offer hope and direction.

The commitment to fostering a well-nourished and informed population remains a cornerstone of the continent's sustainable development goals, promising a healthier future for all Africans.