As part of efforts to review nutrition policies, progress in the reduction of malnutrition, diet-related diseases and innovative practices in the Sub-region of West Africa, the 15 member states of the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS) are expected to converge in Monrovia to hold the 16th ECOWAS Nutrition Conference, a release from the Ministry of Health (MoH) has disclosed.
The Regional Nutritional Conference, which is expected to begin from November 18 to 20, 2019, will bring together major stakeholders, including H. E. the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Jewel Howard-Taylor, UN Resident Representative to Liberia, Head of ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, Head of African Union Commission in Liberia, Director General of WAHO, Honorable Ministers of Health, Gender, among others.
According to the release, the conference is to officially kick-off on Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town; while from the 19th to 20th of November, 2019, the conference will transition to the Millennium Guest House Hotel, Sinkor, opposite the NP Gas Station. The Theme for this year’s conference is: “Adolescent Nutrition” with the lens to improve Adolescent Nutrition in the sub-region.
‘’As you be aware, Liberia has a huge adolescent burden where thirty-one percent (31%) of pregnancies and maternal mortality are among teenagers with no adequate Health and nutrition progress to address this critical need,” the release furthered.
The ECOWAS Nutrition Conference is a regional platform that brings together major stakeholders in nutrition to review nutrition policies, progress in the reduction of malnutrition, diet-related diseases and innovative practices in the region.
The ECOWAS Nutrition Conference begun in 1996 by nine Francophone Countries Ministers. In 1990, the conference was extended to all the 15 ECOWAS Countries. There have been 15 conferences held since the establishment of this August meeting
Since activities befitting the Conference are held biannually and it is a rotational event, Liberia has being selected to host it this year.
