The workshop held at NaNA Conference Hall was in line with the Agency's drive to leverage small and medium enterprises on its role in the marketing of healthier foods that are beneficial in the management of diet related foods.
The Sun Business Network Gambia (SBNG) is a private sector-led group established by the National Nutrition Agency with the main aim to advocate and support businesses to grow the role they play in proving nutrition in country.
The network is a membership of 43 business communities and organises capacity building trainings for the production and marketing of healthy foods.
Michiko Tereda, a representative of the World Food Programme during the opening ceremony said it is key to establish an enabling environment towards a healthy country.
He pointed out that, NaNA is taking great strides in not only on preparing materials on healthy foods but is also creating a healthy culture in terms of feeding practices or eating choices for both children and adults.
He expressed WFP’s readiness to continue collaborating with NaNA and the private sectors in order to scale up good nutrition in The Gambia.
Lamin Njie, director of finance for NaNA said it is known that the agency has always been playing a pivotal role in terms of coordinating nutrition related activities which could not have been possible without key partners from the side of the United Nations and business communities.
Njie highlighted that, the agency’s aim is to combat malnutrition in the country, adding that business networks that trade in food and food commodities have a greater role to play in fighting malnutrition in The Gambia.
He disclosed that the agency will continue to collaborate and provide some level capacity building for the business community to ensure foods that are processed and traded in are fit for consumption to improve the nutritional status of the country.
Bakary Jallow, director of nutrition program for NaNA in his remarks on behalf of his executive director described nutrition as very important for human capital development.
He said that in order to succeed in the process of combating malnutrition in the country it is appropriate that all actors in the food chain are brought together to work towards ensuring that the food that is consumed meets all the requirements for it to be able to provide the nutrients needed for productivity.
“It is crucial for us to ensure that food is available and affordable. Nutrition security means one has to have access to food that is safe and adequate to meet their needs for optimal survival,” he stated.
