Improved Feeding Practices for the First 1,000 Days

World Vision Ghana implemented the Improved Feeding Practices for the First 1,000 Days (IFP) project in three districts between 2020 and 2023. The community-based project aimed to improve the diets and nutrition of women of reproductive age, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under two during the critical first 1,000 days of life. The project was funded by the Japanese Social Development Fund through the World Bank. 

Aligned with national development policies and global efforts to combat malnutrition, the project used an integrated approach focused on three key areas:

• Increasing access to nutritious foods and supplements by supporting Village-Based Entrepreneurs (VBEs) to make innovative nutrition products more accessible through a social enterprise model.
• Improving dietary diversity through small-scale, agriculture-based livelihood interventions that promoted the production and consumption of fruits, vegetables, biofortified foods such as orange-fleshed sweet potato and animal-source foods.

• Strengthening nutrition and health knowledge and practices through nutrition messaging delivered as part of a social and behaviour change communication strategy.

Impact

The project contributed to improvements in the quality and diversity of young children’s diets. Nearly 14,000 children were reached with micronutrient powders, while participating communities produced approximately 35,000 kilograms of orange-fleshed sweet potato and 96,000 eggs, increasing access to nutrient-rich foods. Nutrition messages were also shared widely, contributing to greater awareness of healthy diets among caregivers.

By the end of the project, the proportion of children meeting minimum dietary diversity had increased in all three project districts. In Kassena-Nankana West, it rose from 75% at baseline to 90% at endline; in Kintampo South, from 65% to 71%; and in Sekyere East, from 65% to 70%.

Exclusive breastfeeding rates also increased between baseline and endline: from 90% to 97.4% in Kassena-Nankana West, from 62% to 92% in Kintampo South, and from 44% to 96% in Sekyere East.

Overall, the evaluation found that the project successfully improved awareness and practices related to the diets and nutrition of women of reproductive age and young children in participating communities.

Sustainability

Sustainability was built into the project by strengthening local systems, livelihoods, and community ownership. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and Village-Based Entrepreneurs (VBEs) helped establish a community-based model for maintaining access to micronutrient powders beyond the life of the project, while poultry production and the sale of eggs created additional livelihood opportunities.

The project also worked closely with government partners, including the Ghana Health Service, Department of Agriculture, and District Assemblies, to strengthen local ownership and integrate project approaches into existing systems. Community leaders and groups, including traditional leaders, male champions, VSLAs, and community health volunteers, were equipped to continue promoting nutrition messages and practices within their communities.