Our Food and Nutrition Program Directors: Meet Esu

We recently sat down with Esubalew Dadi, Director of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator’s (GHAI) Food Policy Program for Africa to learn his perspective on the program’s work to date and what he hopes to achieve in Africa in his new role. 

1. How has GHAI’s Food and Nutrition Program progressed since you started?

I've seen intentionality in applying lessons and best practices across regions, including Latin America, Asia and Africa. This includes a strategic expansion of the program to regions where there is a greater need for investment to expand healthy food policies that can contain the growth of unhealthy diets. Working in these different regions also gives us an opportunity to promote access to nutritious meals through programs like school feeding.

2. What regional trends have you observed in advancing healthy food policies?

In Africa, there is growing focus and advocacy for front-of-package warning labels. This policy is gaining traction as a potent tool to educate consumers about the health implications of their food choices. Advocates are increasingly focused on generating robust, country-specific evidence to fortify their campaigns and ensure that the policies are tailored to the unique health landscapes of their countries and/or regions. 

Simultaneously, the ultra-processed products industry has positioned itself as a positive actor that fights alongside governments to address poverty and food insecurity. This sophisticated maneuver allows the industry to exert significant influence over public health policymaking within government, often under the guise of corporate social responsibility. This underscores the critical need to empower advocates with the necessary skills and knowledge to counter industry interference so that they can advance effective policy interventions that prioritize public health over corporate interests. This includes providing targeted training, fostering regional and south-south collaborations, and enhancing the dissemination of evidence-based food policies for lasting policy change. Ultimately, we aim to create a resilient advocacy ecosystem primed to challenge industry influence and champion policies that genuinely promote healthy food environments. 

3. In your role, what big picture goals do you have for the Food and Nutrition Program?

As Director of the Food Policy Program for Africa, I aim to strengthen locally-led advocacy and establish a robust network of partners who can effectively influence healthy food policy debates across the continent. Forging strategic partnerships with regional actors and continental public health and intergovernmental institutions will amplify the work and impact of local partners who are driving change on the ground. 

My priority is to advance public health equity and reduce health disparities. Identifying and addressing barriers to accessing healthy food, while upholding a human rights framework, is essential. This will enable us to contribute to sustainable development alongside other global, regional and local partners. After all, these collaborative efforts are crucial for policy success.

I am committed to strengthening the support and capacity of our team and local partners, enabling them to leverage their expertise and leadership on the ground. This strategic approach will ensure we make significant strides in promoting healthy food policies across Africa.