Health and Ghana Education Service (GES) staff in the Nanton District have participated in a training program on girls’ iron and folic acid supplementation, aimed at strengthening their capacity to support adolescent girls’ health and nutritional well-being.
The training, held on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, in Nanton, brought together personnel from the health and education sectors to enhance their understanding of iron and folic acid supplementation and their respective roles in promoting the health of adolescent girls.
Promoting the Health of Adolescent Girls
Iron and folic acid are essential nutrients that contribute to healthy growth and development. Iron helps the body produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, while folic acid supports cell growth and the formation of healthy red blood cells.
Adolescent girls have increased nutritional needs as they undergo rapid growth and development. Menstruation can also increase their risk of iron deficiency, which may contribute to anemia, fatigue, weakness, and difficulties with concentration.
Adequate iron and folic acid intake can help address nutritional deficiencies and support the overall health and well-being of girls. Strengthening supplementation programs is therefore an important step towards improving adolescent health and supporting girls to participate actively in school and other daily activities.
Strengthening Collaboration Between Health and Education
The involvement of both health and GES personnel highlights the importance of collaboration between the health and education sectors in delivering effective health interventions to school-aged girls.
Health workers play an important role in providing technical guidance, promoting safe supplementation practices, and monitoring health outcomes. Education personnel, on the other hand, can help facilitate school-based implementation, engage learners, communicate with parents and guardians, and encourage girls to participate in approved supplementation programs.
Through the training, participants were expected to strengthen their knowledge and practical capacity to support the implementation of girls’ iron and folic acid supplementation within their respective institutions.
Effective coordination between health facilities and schools is essential to ensure that eligible girls receive accurate information, appropriate support, and the recommended supplementation in accordance with program guidelines.
Building Awareness and Improving Health Outcomes
Beyond supplementation, awareness creation remains essential to improving adolescent nutrition. Girls need access to accurate information about healthy eating, personal health, and the importance of taking supplements as directed by qualified health personnel.
Promoting diets rich in iron, including beans, leafy green vegetables, meat, and other locally available nutritious foods, can also contribute to better nutritional outcomes. Combining appropriate dietary practices with recommended supplementation can help address nutritional gaps among adolescent girls.
The training in Nanton represents an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of frontline personnel to support these efforts through schools and health facilities across the district.
A Shared Commitment to Girls’ Health
Investing in the health of adolescent girls is an investment in the future of the Nanton District. Healthy girls are better positioned to learn, develop their potential, and transition into adulthood with improved health outcomes.
The collaboration between the health and education sectors is therefore important in ensuring that adolescent girls receive the information, guidance, and support they need to maintain good health.
As trained personnel apply the knowledge gained, continued coordination, community engagement, and adherence to established program guidelines will be essential to sustaining the benefits of girls’ iron and folic acid supplementation.
The Nanton District remains committed to initiatives that promote health, improve educational participation, and contribute to the overall well-being of its residents.
Nanton District Assembly — Promoting Healthier Communities and a Brighter Future for Every Girl.
