Dr. Nana Ama Frimpomaa Agyapong, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast’s Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, has issued a stern warning to Ghanaians regarding the consumption of food, especially cooked rice and “waakye,” sold near gutters. These seemingly cheaper and tastier options pose significant health risks due to their susceptibility to contamination from the unsanitary environment. Gutters are breeding grounds for bacteria, pathogens, and filth, which can easily contaminate food and lead to foodborne illnesses such as diarrhoea, cholera, and dysentery. Prioritizing safe and hygienic food choices over perceived cost and taste is paramount for protecting individual and family health. Dr. Agyapong’s cautionary message underscores the importance of food safety awareness and emphasizes the potential dangers lurking within seemingly convenient and affordable food options.
The symposium on “advocacy for mandatory front-of-pack warning labelling in Ghana,” organized by the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) in collaboration with SEND Ghana, served as a platform to educate University of Cape Coast students on healthy dietary choices and unhealthy diets. It also aimed to initiate discussions towards a policy framework for front-of-pack warning labelling and nutrition profiling models. Dr. Agyapong’s presentation at the symposium highlighted the health hazards linked to consuming food from unhygienic environments, emphasizing the importance of making informed food choices. The symposium aimed to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy diets, empowering them to make conscious food choices and advocate for improved food safety measures.
Dr. Agyapong further encouraged incorporating more vegetables and fruits into daily diets, suggesting cost-effective strategies such as buying seasonal produce or purchasing in bulk. This advice promotes a balanced diet and emphasizes the accessibility of healthy eating habits regardless of budget constraints. She stressed that choosing safe food is not a matter of affordability or taste preference, but a crucial step toward safeguarding health. This message resonates with the broader public health goal of reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases linked to poor diet and food safety. By promoting healthy eating habits and raising awareness about the risks associated with consuming food from unhygienic sources, Dr. Agyapong’s advocacy contributes to improving overall public health in Ghana.
Professor Kingsley Asare Preko, Vice Dean at the School of Medical Sciences, UCC, echoed the importance of food safety and nutrition education, aligning them with national public health objectives to combat diet-related illnesses. He emphasized that food safety transcends social and political boundaries, impacting every citizen and playing a vital role in national development. Professor Preko’s advocacy for mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling underscores its potential to empower consumers to make healthier choices and foster transparency within the food industry. This measure would provide consumers with readily accessible information about the nutritional content of packaged foods, facilitating informed decision-making and promoting healthier diets.
SEND Ghana, a pro-poor policy advocacy organization and sponsor of the symposium, called upon the government to increase the school feeding grant per pupil. This call aims to ensure that children receive at least one nutritious, well-balanced hot meal daily. Ms. Baaba Sam, representing SEND Ghana, explained that the symposium sought to empower Ghanaians to take control of their nutritional needs, highlighting the importance of a wholesome diet for both physical and cognitive development. This initiative underscores the link between nutrition and academic performance, advocating for improved nutrition as a means to enhance overall educational outcomes.
The symposium’s overarching objective was to educate and empower Ghanaians to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy diets. Dr. Agyapong urged stakeholders to support the program financially, ensuring its mission to eradicate hunger and malnutrition among schoolchildren. The call for an increased school feeding grant aims to combat malnutrition-related issues such as stunted growth and unlock the educational potential of children nationwide. This initiative recognizes the crucial role of proper nutrition in children’s development and emphasizes the need for collective efforts to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals, thereby contributing to a brighter future for the nation.
