The Ahafo Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have launched a campaign at Hwidiem in the  Asutifi South District to promote and raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding.

The campaign dubbed  “Start Right, Feed Right - from birth to two years", was introduced by UNICEF across the 16 regions of Ghana to galvanize momentum to improve breastfeeding and complementary feeding in Ghana.

It is aimed at increasing early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour from 52% to 80% by 2025, to increase exclusive breastfeeding at 5 months from 43% to 60% by 2025 and to increase the percentage of children fed the minimum acceptable diet from 13% to at least 30% by 2025.

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The Queen mother of Hwidiem Traditional Council, Nana Attaa Adwoa Agyeiwaa Kodie ll, said there was substantial evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for six months had many benefits for the newborn babies and mothers.

She addressed that scientific evidence had proven early initiation of breastfeeding, within one hour of birth, protects the newborn from acquiring infections and reduces newborn mortality, boosts their immune system, increases their intellectual abilities while it shields mothers from cancer, among other benefits.

Dr Kwabena Boakye Boateng, Ahafo Regional Director of the Ghana Health Services said it's everyone responsibility that no child is left out urging every one preached of breastfeeding by giving them space at any occasion to feed their children.

"The National Launch took place last year in the capital of Ghana, inaugurated by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. The Bono Region embarked on their last week and it is our turn to.

Our infants must be protected from malnutrition from the time of birth until they are two years of age to save them from health shortcomings in the near future."

Sulley Dramani Ahafo Region