The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) convened the Third Local Organising Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 20th January 2026 as part of Ghana’s preparations to host the 7th Micronutrient Forum Global Conference. 

The conference is scheduled to take place from 28 September to 1 October 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra. It is expected to bring together about 1,000 in person participants and approximately 500 virtual participants from across the health, agriculture, economics, policy, and development practice.

Delivering welcome remarks on behalf of the Director General of NDPC, Mr Peter Poureku, Chief Analyst, commended stakeholders for their continued commitment to the planning process. He noted that hosting the Forum goes beyond logistical arrangements and presents a strategic opportunity for Ghana, particularly in addressing micronutrient deficiencies, strengthening human capital, and improving maternal and child health outcomes. 

He further reiterated NDPC’s coordination role in ensuring that preparations remain inclusive, coherent, and results oriented.

In her opening remarks, Ms Saskia Osendarp, Executive Director of the Micronutrient Forum, highlighted the importance of hosting the conference within the current global context. She underscored the relevance of the 2026 convening amid converging challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic pressures, describing it as timely and critical for reflection, collaboration, and solutions oriented dialogue at the global level.

This was followed by a briefing from the global team comprising the Micronutrient Forum and the KANES Group. The briefing reaffirmed the conference’s strategic focus on sustaining nutrition gains amid global crises while advancing evidence based policy dialogue and investment. Progress on programme development was highlighted, including ongoing committee and track meetings, the use of a shared brainstorming tracker, and the development of concept notes. 

Sub committees will continue to meet monthly to deliver assigned tasks and ensure alignment across workstreams.

Overall, the Third Local Organising Committee Meeting marked a shift from broad planning to focused coordination and delivery. It reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to hosting a high impact and globally relevant Micronutrient Forum Global Conference in 2026. 

NDPC reiterated its leadership role in ensuring a well coordinated, inclusive, and successful conference that showcases Ghana’s progress and elevates African priorities in the global nutrition dialogue.