Joseph Danquah, a clinical dietitian and entrepreneur in Ghana, is dedicated to addressing the critical issue of child malnutrition in his country.
Through his nonprofit, Healthmates Nutrition, Danquah is developing sustainable solutions to improve nutrition and health outcomes for children in underserved communities. He is using the knowledge and skills he is gaining as a student in the Master of Business Creation (MBC) Global program at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business to create innovative, practical solutions to combat malnutrition in Ghana and beyond.
Danquah’s journey began during his clinical rotations, where he saw firsthand the devastating effects of malnutrition on children.
“Healthmates Nutrition was inspired by my deep-rooted commitment to combating child malnutrition in Ghana,” Danquah said. “I am inspired by the possibility of transforming the lives of vulnerable children and ensuring they have the opportunity for better health and a brighter future.”
One of the most impactful initiatives of Healthmates Nutrition is a program to empower mothers and caregivers to detect malnutrition in its early stages using color-coded mid-upper arm circumference tapes. This grassroots approach has already saved 56 children from severe malnutrition. “Eighty percent of malnutrition cases reported at our project sites were first identified by mothers using the free tapes they received,” Danquah said.
Healthmates Nutrition stands out because of its integrated approach to combating malnutrition.
“We combine research-driven product development, sustainable ingredient sourcing, and community engagement to create solutions that are impactful and scalable,” Danquah said. This approach ensures that solutions are both effective and affordable.
Danquah joined the MBC program to gain the entrepreneurial skills necessary to scale his organization.
“The MBC program has been transformative,” he said. “It challenges me to critically evaluate every aspect of my business model, identify gaps, and validate assumptions.” The program’s combination of hands-on learning and personalized mentorship has helped Danquah refine his strategies and build a sustainable nonprofit.
Looking ahead, Danquah’s goal is to eradicate malnutrition not just in Ghana but globally. “In the near term, we aim to scale our food production to reach more communities, secure sustainable funding, and launch our mobile app for real-time support,” he said. “Long-term, we envision a replicable model that can be adopted globally.”
Danquah invites everyone to join Healthmates Nutrition in the fight against child malnutrition. “Your support, whether through volunteering, donating, or advocating, can save lives and empower communities,” he said. “Together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
For more information about Healthmates Nutrition, visit healthmatesnutrition.org.
