Ethics in Nutrition – An African Perspective

Abstract

The chapter provides a context of nutrition/dietetic professions in Ghana (Sect. 6.1) and Rwanda (Sect. 6.2), giving background information about the current training. Training in ethics and professional conduct, regulatory ethics guidelines and code of ethics in each of the countries are emphasised. The role of relevant stakeholders in the teaching of ethics, as well as organisations responsible for guiding and regulating same is described. Ethics decision making and ethical issues faced by practitioners in the work environment and situations in the country, and other ethical issues in relation with the food system are also described. Ethical issues in the context of personalised nutrition advice, as well as ethical dilemmas regarding the food system are covered (e.g. the policy of “one cow, one family” in Rwanda). The final section of the chapter focuses on an analysis of the various country-specific ethical issues faced and addressed by nutrition professionals in the two countries. The country-specific analyses are preceded by a synopsis of the contemporary African nutrition landscape.