The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), has held a three-day sensitization programme for members of the National Assembly Select Committees on Health, Education, and Agriculture, focusing on food fortification and nutrition development.
The engagement featured discussions on food fortification, bio-fortification, and field visits to Maruo Farms and salt production sites in Kombo Darsilameh.
NaNA Deputy Director General Abdou Aziz Ceesay said the initiative comes at a critical time as The Gambia faces malnutrition challenges, including underweight, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies, compounded by rising non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Hon. Musa Badjie, representing the National Assembly, commended NaNA for its nationwide interventions that continue to support vulnerable communities and improve public health outcomes.
WFP Acting Country Director Dr. Malick Ndiaye highlighted rice fortification, nutrition gap analysis, and the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme as key investments capable of transforming the country’s nutrition landscape. He praised NaNA’s coordination of food fortification programmes.
NaNA Director General Malang N. Fofana stressed the importance of engaging lawmakers to strengthen policies and sustain nutrition programmes. He called for stronger advocacy and increased domestic resources, noting that long-term investment in nutrition is vital for a healthier and more productive future generation.
Nutrition experts say food fortification is one of the most cost-effective ways to address micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among women of childbearing age and children under five. For The Gambia, where households remain vulnerable to poverty and climate shocks, strengthening nutrition programmes is seen as critical to easing pressure on the healthcare system and boosting productivity.
The sensitization programme aimed to deepen lawmakers’ understanding of nutrition-sensitive interventions and reinforce parliamentary support for policies and funding to improve the nutritional status of Gambians nationwide.
