The three days activity marked by a cooking workshop on the third day was facilitated by the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) with support from WFP.
SBNGambia since its launching in 2019 has been able to gather a membership of 43 businesses, organised an inaugural meeting to develop its activity work plan and embarked on a three-day capacity building workshop for its members.
The Network has also created an avenue for businesses to engage with government (NaNA) for technical support in relation to product development that can either directly/indirectly address nutrition priorities in the country.
Haddy Crookes-Lowe, SBN Coordinator and senior program officer at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) said SBNGambia is inspired by other SUN Business Networks in the region and elsewhere, to be structured into an autonomous platform to attract and engage other businesses to contribute in solving nutrition problems in the country.
She added that investing in nutrition does not necessarily mean bringing financing to nutrition but how food manufacturers can contribute to solving nutrition problems by the products they develop.
Madam Crookes-Lowe also stated that the objectives of the workshop were achieved.
Malang N. Fofana, Deputy Executive Director at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) expressed delight at SBNGambia's commitment and efforts during the three days, adding that when the network was established they wanted to see that it was maintained and sustained.
Mr. Fofana noted that, as a country we are still battling with under nutrition in the form of stunting, wasting and underweight but also faced with micronutrient deficiencies as well as diet related non-communicable diseases. He added that in order to have a better future as a country “we should make sure our children have proper nutrition by preparing foods that can help them attain that”. This he highlighted, was achieved during the workshop as the SUN Business Network was trained on healthy recipes for children.
Dr Amat Bah, executive director of NaNA also shared his appreciation of what the Network and team of facilitators were able to achieve during the three days. He also called on all the members of SBNGambia to remain engaged, committed and united in addressing nutrition problems in the country.
The Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN) is a global movement established in 2010 that inspires a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition in all its forms. It unites people from the Civil Society, United Nations, Donors, Businesses and Academia in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The Gambia as a member of the SUN Global movement has so far coordinated the establishment of 3 national SUN Networks (i.e. SUN Civil Society Network, SUN Academia Network and SUN Business Network).
