An African woman breastfeeding her baby. Image by Younesse Bourrich from Wikimedia Commons, (CC BY-SA 4.0). As the global community observes Breastfeeding Week, it is a pivotal moment to assess whether Ghana has taken substantial strides to promote and encourage breastfeeding. On August 1, a video was posted on Twitter on the United Nations World Food Programme's (WFP) Africa page. It showcased Mutinta Hambayi, a mother and nutritionist from WFP, who emphasized that “for every dollar invested in breastfeeding promotion and protection, a country can generate up to [USD] 35 in economic returns.” 🤱🏿 Supporting breastfeeding help mothers AND babies alike. @WFP provides nutrition training and supplements to mothers and their communities. Our nutritionist Mutinta Hambayi gives 5 THINGS you need to know about #breastfeeding ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hRwlcT7czO — WFP Africa (@WFP_Africa) August 1, 2023 According to Hambayi and other credible sources, breastfeeding holds paramount importance for both infants and mothers. One of its primary advantages for children lies in its indispensable role in ensuring their health and survival. When an infant is breastfed they receive colostrum during the initial 72 hours. This substance acts as a shield of immunity and functions as a vaccine, offering essential protection. Early initiation of breastfeeding significantly curtails the risk of infant mortality by an impressive 44 percent. Moreover, breastfeeding contributes to reducing the likelihood of childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and Type 2 diabetes. An added benefit is that breastfed children tend to excel academically, thus underscoring how breastfeeding also serves as an investment in human capital. For mothers, breastfeeding offers significant advantages apart from the fact that it creates a special bond between mothers and their babies. It serves as a soothing experience and holds the potential to mitigate the risk of certain cancers. According to Hambayi, the promotion of breastfeeding isn't just a decision; it's one of the most astute investments a nation can undertake to construct its forthcoming prosperity. Beyond economic benefits, it fortifies the resilience of families. Thus, advocating for exclusive breastfeeding isn't merely a practice; it's a means to foster long-term well-being and ensure the growth of future generations. Despite the manifold benefits of breastfeeding, numerous Ghanaian women encounter significant challenges in sustaining breastfeeding for the minimum recommended period of six months. These hurdles encompass insufficient leave duration, a lack of designated breastfeeding areas in workplaces and insufficient educational orientation in hospitals. In an interview with Global Voices, three Ghanaian women, whose names have been changed to ensure their anonymity – Mavis, Linda, and Bernice – provide valuable insights by sharing their personal experiences. Linda, in her early forties and working in the public sector with the Ghana Prisons Service, acknowledges the benefits of breastfeeding: It aids the child's growth and strengthens bones, while preventing premature pregnancy for the mother. She attributes her knowledge to midwives at the government hospital where she delivered her child. In contrast, Bernice, who works in the private sector, sought information online: I googled a lot. Going on YouTube to learn from other mothers. These were my main resources because I did not have older sisters or cousins who gave me first hand information. So for me, YouTube and Google were my friends. And then, I also had this menstrual app I was using, which was informing me about every stage of my pregnancy. So that also gave me some information. According to Bernice, she wasn't given proper orientation and education at the hospital: I wouldn’t say I was given that much education at the hospital. On the day I was discharged, one lady came and gave some brief information, so that gave me a fair idea but not in detail. I just had the idea that it was a good thing for her. And I realized that when I breastfed her, I realized the benefits because she wasn’t getting sick or having any challenges. Both women highlight the predicament of insufficient maternity leave, which makes it difficult to sustain breastfeeding. With only three months of leave, breastfeeding for six months becomes a formidable challenge. Linda explains: My workplace provides three months of maternity leave, along with breastfeeding hours. I opt for breastfeeding hours, taking time from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. to feed my baby. So during that period, from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. I go to the house and breastfeed my baby.