GAND is a merger between the Ghana Dietetic Association (GDA) and the Ghana Nutrition Association (GNutA). Following in the footsteps of their forebears, the leadership of the two associations led by Daniel Mensah, RD (Former President of GDA) and Prof. Steiner Asiedu (Former President of GNutA) in 2017 committed themselves to a merger that was to create a formidable force to influence national discussions, policies, collaborations, and enhance the visibility of nutrition in Ghana and beyond. This union was anticipated to give a stronger representation to Nutritionists and Dietitians in Ghana.
To achieve the merger a working committee was setup (Dr. Kingsley Pereko, Mr. Prince Baidoo and Mr. Wise Letsa) to work at the realization of this dream. In 2019, a final meeting between the former leaders of the two parties facilitated by Prof. Francis Zotor (former President, Africa Nutrition Society) was held at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho. It was at that meeting that the name “Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics” (GAND) was proposed and accepted by all parties. Affirmations for the merger were subsequently received from the members of both associations at their respective AGMs in 2019 and GAND was officially birth forth on 2nd July, 2019.
Today, the Academy represents more than 500 credentialed practitioners — registered dietitians, registered nutritionists, nutrition and dietetics technicians, other food and nutrition professionals holding undergraduate and advanced degrees in nutrition and dietetics, and students — committed to providing optimum nutritional health and advancing the profession of nutrition and dietetics through practice, research, education and advocacy.