New ‘EGGSTRA-O’ campaign to share egg health benefits launched

A new campaign dubbed ‘Eggstra-O’ has been launched by the American Soybean Association and World Initiative for Soy in Human Health in collaboration with the Ghana National Eggs Campaign Secretariat (GNECS) in partnership with the Women in Poultry Value Chain and The Little Cow.

The campaign which was launched in Accra to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day is aimed at encouraging egg diets as beneficial, healthy, and a good way to address malnutrition in children as well as highlighting women’s contribution in the poultry industry.

Comfort Acheampong, the National Coordinator -GNECS explained that the campaign theme “Eggstra-O nutrition for all” aims at educating the Ghanaian public on the nutritional and health value of egg consumption, as well as addressing the myth surrounding the consumption of eggs and also provide alternative ways of preparing egg dishes.

The campaign would run till the end of December 2022 and would include targeted training for stakeholders in the poultry value chain across the country. It would also execute public education-focused activities such as a roadshow dubbed, “The Eggnite Roadshow” and institutional visits in the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Volta, Western, Upper East and Upper West regions. The goal is to increase awareness of eggs as a nutrient-dense protein source for everyone, which will in turn, translate into a a thriving Ghanaian poultry industry.

The Institutional education will offer egg health nutrition for selected schools, hospitals and religious bodies. The goal is to increase awareness of eggs as a nutrient-dense protein source for everyone, which will in turn, translate into a thriving Ghanaian poultry industry”, stated Acheampong.

She was positive that the new campaign, building on similar past ones, would educate many more Ghanaians on the health benefits of eggs for everyone especially children.

“Eggs are nutritious whole meals for all ages and I urge parents to feed their children with a lot of egg meals”, she stressed.

Ndidi Fordjoe, Project Lead -The Little Cow, on her part added that “Eggs are a rich source of protein and vitamins. A large egg contains about 6 grams of protein. Eggs are also a good source of other nutrients, including vitamin D, which aids bone health and the immune system and choline which helps metabolism and liver function, as well as foetal brain development. Eating eggs also provide greater satiety (reduce hunger) during the day.”

In 2017, Ghanaian egg producers, health advisers, government leaders, academic partners, and others joined the WISHH Programme to launch Ghana’s National Egg Campaign, to provide educational messages about eggs as an abundant source of protein, vitamins and more.

The 2020 egg consumption survey results showed per capita consumption of eggs rose from 172 in 2016 to 235 in 2020. Both the consumption survey and the campaign were key components of WISHH’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded AMPLIFIES (Assist in the Management of Poultry and Layer Industries with Feed Improvement and Efficiency Strategies) Ghana Project that began in 2015.

The launch event also brought together all relevant stakeholders including AgriHouse Foundation, Women in Agriculture (AWIA), and African Women in Animal Resource Farming and Agribusiness Network (AWARFA-N).

In a solidarity message, the Secretary of AWIA, Fortune Kyei, called on women to come together as a united force to pursue gender equality around the world, advocate for sector policies for women, market expansion and access to funding and capacity building.

We must come together to bring to bear the contributions women in agribusiness across the globe are making to promote climate change, economic growth, trade well and build resilient business.” She charged.

The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa Sarpong observed that, it is always a good time to celebrate the achievements of women, especially, the growth, successes and sustainable efforts of women working within the country’s agricultural spaces.

She said Ghanaian women continue to prove to be the backbone of the country with their resilience and incredible contributions in the fields of agriculture, academia, business, politics, education, medicine, among others.

Agrihouse prioritizes the cultural and socio-economic empowerment of our women in agriculture. Our interventional projects including the Agriwoman Marketplace, the Gathering of the Royals, WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards; 1 Household, 1 Garden, are all geared towards providing marketing, exhibitions, networking, training and capacity building opportunities for women working in the agric space,” she noted.

As part of activities to mark the day, Agrihouse held the 10th edition of ‘Agriwoman Marketplace’ at the Obra Spot, alongside the launch of the 3rd Anniversary of Women in Agriculture (AWIA), and launch of ‘Eggstra-O Campaign,’

The Director of the Department of Social Welfare was the Chairperson for the event, whereas Madam Louise Paris, Counsellor Development, Canadian High Commission, was the special guest of honour.

The president of the Apex body of the Women in Poultry Value Chain (WIPVaC), Dr. Victoria Norgbey, said the poultry sector is unfortunately beset with many challenges and thus, expressed the hope that this year’s International Women’s Day Celebrations would highlight these concerns, with concrete measures to support women poultry farmers in the country.

Agribusiness Network (AWARFA-N), said women in leadership positions, especially within the agricultural sector should be underestimated, and therefore expressed the hope that issues such as inequalities in the land tenure system, poor road networks to and from farmlands, lack of capital and high interest rates of banks, poor market and inadequate processing centres would be highlighted during the celebrations.