Behind the Shrines: The Hidden Maternal and Child Malnutrition Crisis Within Traditional Servitude Systems

In many communities across southern Volta, traditional shrines remain deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual identity of the people. While much public attention has focused on the cultural and human rights dimensions surrounding traditional servitude systems, one equally critical issue has remained largely overlooked. Hidden behind the walls of some of these shrines is a silent public health challenge that continues to threaten the wellbeing of mothers and children.

An Express News Ghana investigation has uncovered concerns about maternal and child nutrition among vulnerable women and children living within some traditional servitude settings. The findings point to conditions that may expose them to nutritional deprivation during the most critical stages of human development, raising concerns among public health experts about the long term consequences for their health and future. The investigation also found that in some settings, deeply entrenched food taboos and cultural restrictions may further limit access to essential nutritious foods for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, adolescents and young children.

To better understand the implications, Express News Ghana spoke with Public Health Nutritionist Curtice Dumevor, who explained that although living conditions vary from one traditional institution to another, inadequate nutrition during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood can have lifelong effects that extend far beyond childhood. His observations are consistent with evidence from the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023) and UNICEF (2023), both of which recognise maternal and child nutrition as one of the strongest determinants of lifelong health, educational attainment and economic productivity.

According to Mr. Dumevor, modern public health continues to draw significant lessons from the work of renowned British epidemiologist Professor David J. P. Barker, whose Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, first introduced in 1989 and further developed throughout the 1990s, transformed scientific understanding of nutrition and human development. Barker demonstrated that while genes provide the biological blueprint for every individual, the nutritional environment experienced before birth and during early childhood largely determines how much of that genetic potential is ultimately realised.

The findings underscore an important reality. Behind the spiritual significance of some traditional servitude systems lies a less visible challenge whose consequences extend far beyond the shrine. Addressing food insecurity alone may not be enough if harmful cultural food taboos continue to deny vulnerable groups access to nutritious diets. Ensuring adequate nutrition throughout the life cycle, while encouraging evidence based nutrition practices that complement rather than undermine cultural heritage, is not merely a health intervention. It is an investment in human capital, national development and the future of every generation.

Mr. Dumevor believes that reversing this trend requires collaboration rather than confrontation. He called for sustained community nutrition education to improve awareness of maternal and child nutrition while respecting Ghana's rich cultural heritage. He also advocated constructive engagement with traditional authorities, shrine leaders and opinion leaders to critically review harmful food taboos that have no scientific basis while preserving valuable customs that promote social cohesion.

Furthermore, he urged stronger partnerships between the Ghana Health Service, local government authorities, civil society organisations, development partners and community health workers to expand nutrition education, improve access to antenatal and postnatal nutrition counselling, strengthen exclusive breastfeeding support and promote appropriate complementary feeding practices for infants and young children.

Mr. Dumevor further emphasised that improving household food security, empowering women economically and ensuring access to diverse, nutritious foods should form part of a comprehensive public health strategy. According to him, safeguarding the nutritional wellbeing of women, adolescents and children should remain a shared national responsibility because every healthy pregnancy, every well nourished child and every informed community contributes directly to Ghana's future human capital, productivity and sustainable development.

By Dumevor Curtice
Public Health Expert and Social Commentator

Email: curticedumevor25@gmail.com

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