U-Reporters Drive Breastfeeding Conversation at Accra's Makola Market

Breastfeeding and childcare are conversations often reserved for parents, but what about young people, the future parents and guardians? During World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, brought this important conversation to the heart of Accra’s bustling Makola Market. This is the busiest trading hub in West Africa, with an estimated 10,000 people, including sellers, streaming through its stalls each day. Amid mountains of fabric, fresh produce, and household goods, a community walk, and float drew attention not just to breastfeeding, but also to the crucial role of youth involvement.

Prioritizing Breastfeeding as a Collective Responsibility

This year’s theme, “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” urges us to view breastfeeding not only as a personal choice but also as a collective responsibility. It’s an act that nurtures babies while simultaneously creating environments that enable lactating mothers to feed. Over 100 U-Reporters from across Accra joined UNICEF to learn, share, and spread the message of exclusive breastfeeding. Armed with knowledge, they became agents of change, educating the women and men they encountered, exchanging ideas, and preparing themselves to make informed decisions when they, too, become parents and caregivers. Among them were Flint and Elsie, two passionate U-Reporters who shared their experiences and perspectives from the float.

Insights and Interactions from the Market Floor

For Elsie, an intern with UNICEF and a U-Reporter, this was an opportunity to interact with several market women—an experience that was both enlightening and heartwarming. She met women who sang a familiar song they had learned during their antenatal sessions, one that emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Their enthusiasm in singing and recalling what they had been taught showed how impactful health education can be when it resonates with everyday life.

Yet not all reactions were the same. One older woman, in her late 50s, listened intently and then asked, somewhat skeptically, “Is this what modern knowledge is teaching us now?” She was surprised to learn that babies should not be given water for the first six months, a concept that clearly challenged long-held beliefs. Another woman, with a lighter tone, joked that she would give her breasts to her husband and the baby would have to share. These varied comments reminded Elsie that changing deep-rooted cultural norms takes time, patience, and continuous conversation.

Amid the humor and questions, there were also powerful testimonies. One woman shared that her first child, whom she exclusively breastfed, was noticeably stronger, more brilliant, and healthier than her other children who were not. Another woman said she exclusively breastfed all three of her boys for six months and continued breastfeeding them for up to two years, and they rarely fell sick. These stories reinforced the fact that exclusive breastfeeding is not just theory; it works. Through this float, Elsie came to appreciate how important it is to meet people where they are, listen to their stories, and share science in ways that connect with their lived realities.

Learning Through Lived Experiences

For Flint, also an intern and a U-Reporter, this was largely a learning experience. He engaged women by listening to their experiences and perspectives on the benefits breastfeeding offers babies. From sentiments to struggles, many recounted how the act of nurturing gave their children the nourishment of a lifetime. One mother of four said she exclusively breastfed her first child, who is now a university graduate.

As she compared her children, she observed differences in brain development and well-being. Due to circumstances beyond her control, her three other children couldn't breastfeed properly, so she supplemented their feeding with porridge. While the health disparities among her children are not extreme, she noted they are “obvious.” Her first child has never complained of illness, whereas the others frequently contracted flu and malaria.

Another mother recounted her experience of not only breastfeeding exclusively for six months but extending it for two full years. For her, it was a must for all her children. She spoke of the health benefits of breastfeeding, including rapid brain development, stronger cognitive abilities, and immunity from infections.

A Dialogue for the Future

Standing in Makola Market among the vibrant colors and voices, it became clear that breastfeeding is more than a private act; it is a social issue woven into culture, knowledge, and generational beliefs. This float was not just an event but a dialogue between science and tradition, between mothers and youth, between today and tomorrow. As UNICEF and its partners continue to champion breastfeeding, the hope is that these conversations ripple outward, shaping communities where every child receives the best start in life and every mother feels supported to give it.