WANDA Leads the Way: Empowering Women and Reclaiming African Food Traditions

ACCRA, GHANA (October 7, 2024)--At the heart of Africa’s most pressing nutrition challenges, one organization continues to rise and shine: Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture (WANDA). And who better to lead the charge than Tambra Raye Stevenson, the dynamic force behind WANDA, whose mission to reclaim African food traditions and empower women leaders is reshaping the nutrition landscape across the continent and beyond.

This October, Tambra will take center stage at the 9th Africa Nutrition Conference (ANEC) in Cape Coast, Ghana, co-chairing a vital panel on nutrition leadership and governance. “I am honored to participate in ANEC, where we have the opportunity to address the critical intersections of culture, health, and food systems across the continent,” Tambra shared. “As we work together to reclaim our food traditions and empower women leaders, we’re not only reshaping the nutrition landscape but also building a future where African communities thrive through the wisdom of our heritage.”

In 2018, Stevenson was named the first-ever North American representative for the African Nutrition Society at the ANEC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since then, she has served on the Scientific Committee reviewing research abstracts for ANEC. She also has championed African Nutrition in the Diaspora with the impactful featured piece published in Eating Well and through her work with WANDA organizing the inaugural Food as Medicine in the Black Community Gathering at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.

Tambra’s impact isn’t just in the policy rooms or academic halls—it’s in the hearts and kitchens of African women. Through initiatives like the WANDA Book Program and Sisterhood Suppers, WANDA creates spaces for women to connect, reflect, and lead. Philomena Amoesi, a leading dietitian from the University of Cape Coast, is one such woman ready to join forces at the upcoming Sisterhood Supper in Ghana. “I am excited to meet and network with like-minded females in the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Dietetics space to influence policies and collaborate on amazing projects,” she said, highlighting the importance of these gatherings.

But WANDA’s influence reaches far beyond conversations over dinner. Dr. Frank Hayford, an African Nutrition Society committee member and Senior lecturer/ Undergraduate Programme Coordinator

in the Department of Dietetics at

the University of Ghana recognizes the more profound significance of Tambra’s work: “The panel on African Diasporans in African nutrition is vital because it bridges the gap between global perspectives and local impact. Tambra’s commitment to empowering women and promoting culturally relevant, sustainable food solutions adds a crucial dimension to advancing the nutrition agenda across the continent.”

As WANDA prepares to host a Sisterhood Supper at Becky Kay’s Restaurant in Cape Coast on October 8th at 6:30pm GMT, it’s clear that Tambra Stevenson is doing more than just attending conferences—she’s sparking a movement. A movement where African women take center stage, and African food traditions are celebrated as the key to health, empowerment, and community. Stay tuned, because WANDA is just getting started. 🌍

Register for Sisterhood Supper!

WANDA's Impact in the African Diaspora

A key element of WANDA’s work is Little WANDA, an aspirational character who champions African food as medicine and celebrates African women leaders in agriculture and nutrition. By using digital media and storytelling, WANDA leverages both social and traditional platforms to reshape the narrative around African foods, fostering pride in cultural heritage and promoting a greater understanding of the importance of nutrition and agriculture for health and well-being.

In 2022, WANDA launched the WANDA Scholars Program at Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria, providing financial and academic support to college women pursuing careers in nutrition. The program, recognized by outlets such as Voice of America (VoA) Hausa, offers mentorship, leadership development, and collaboration with local NGOs and university faculty to empower the next generation of nutrition leaders.

Central to WANDA’s mission are Sisterhood Suppers, which create spaces for women to come together, promote self-care, and engage in social change efforts that build individual and community capacity. These gatherings provide opportunities for women to discuss health, nutrition, and leadership, while fostering a sense of community and belonging. By integrating education, mentorship, and media, WANDA plays a critical role in reshaping Africa’s nutrition landscape and reinforcing the importance of culturally relevant health practices.