Health Essentials
The salt wars will never end!
Salt is useful when taken in moderation
IS SALT ENEMY NUMERO UNO?
I do not have a precise answer to this question but salt is definitely revered in the company of killers.
When heart and blood vessel diseases claim about 18 million lives each year worldwide and hypertension is one of the leading modifiable risk factors (the other factors are uncontrolled diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, lack of adequate physical activity and cigarette smoking) for heart and blood vessel disease then I leave you to work the math since added salt is very often associated with hypertension.
Not everyone reacts to salt in the same way but for the majority of us anything more than half a teaspoon of salt a day (includes what we cook with, those in our snacks and processed food).
No one is born with a craving for salt, we learn this as we grow and keep eating more salt by the day. Many of us eat much more salt than we need and we are “rewarded” with high blood pressure, heart failure and other inconveniences related to fluid retention.
Do you add extra salt to cooked food? Do meals prepared at home come out of a box or can? Do you eat out of home often? A yes answer to any of the questions could mean you may be having too much salt.
Is it not time to shake off this salt habit? You are probably counting your calories to lose weight and exercising as well so why not watch your salt intake? It could be the cause of your difficulty to control blood pressure.
Salt like many other things is only useful when taken in moderation; we cannot live without it but too much brings a host of troubles. Salt may be obvious as in what we cook with but often times it is hidden. Who would have thought that many processed foods including canned foods such as corned beef, ketchup and some salad dressings contain loads of salt?
Two elements; Sodium and Chlorine make up salt and the sodium is often the centre of controversy. Excess sodium stays in body tissues and holds extra water causing swelling and raising blood pressure.
The elevated blood pressure then puts a strain on the heart. You may be aware that increased blood pressure affects almost all organs and this includes: the eyes, the brain, the kidneys and even the blood vessels.
Invariably people who eat a lot of salt have a high probability of developing hypertension and that may also be another reason for having high blood pressure running through some families.
The answer may be quite simple; most family members have similar eating patterns or tastes so everyone may be prone to an increased-salt diet leading to elevated blood pressure over time.
Many artificial flavours that we use in cooking also contain sodium, so imagine the harm you do when you add some of these flavours to food that you have already added your usual amount of “salt”.
The salt story does not end here. Excess salt intake has been linked with osteoporosis, dementia/forgetfulness and even Alzheimer’s.
It is interesting to watch people eat in restaurants and at home; some people will actually sprinkle salt over their food after almost every bite. People eating in restaurants will use the salt on the table aggressively probably making sure they are recouping every pesewa spent on the meal. Be careful you may be paying more on medication soon.
If your food tastes like there is a salt shortage, thank God and eat as-is. It is an outright CRIME to add salt to already cooked food no matter how bland it may taste. This last statement lays the fact bare; all restaurants that leave extra salt on a dining table are involved in crimes against humanity.
You are not a killer only when you draw a gun or knife to kill, you may use a “slow poison” such as a daily dose of extra salt. We will probably need some human rights activists to help us fight this war. I am really looking forward to the day that salt on restaurant tables will be banned.
No matter how particular you are about the salt content of the food you cook, if food manufacturers and restaurants are not regulated when it comes to the allowed salt content then the battle is only half won.
If we are able to reduce our salt intake to less than half a teaspoon a day (including all the hidden salt), it will be enough to significantly reduce the new cases of hypertension and by extension other heart diseases and complications of hypertension will also be reduced.
This simple act will save our country millions if not billions of Ghana cedis each year.
Reducing Salt Consumption
• Never add salt to cooked food
• Read food labels and avoid those with salt or high salt content (watch sodium)
• Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables; they do not need added salt and they also contain potassium that lowers blood pressure.
• If you need snacks, choose unsalted ones.
• Flavour foods with garlic, onions, fresh herbs and lemon instead of salt
• If you have to add salt to food while cooking, add only sparingly.
Excess salt does not only cause diseases, it also drains our pockets as well as the national coffers as we try to control the damage it has caused. Winning the war against salt needs us to be more proactive; before you put anything in your mouth think about the salt (Sodium) content and make a smart decision.
You could be saving your life and that of others as well as creating wealth just by controlling salt intake.
Now I throw the question back to you; is salt ENEMY NUMERO UNO?
(*salt in this context refers to common salt / table salt etc. Other types of salts MAY have added benefits)
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/Mobissel
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “The taste for salt is not inborn. Saltiness is something we’ve learned and eating salty foods fuels the craving”.
Reference:
1. Health by Choice Not Chance – Aileen Ludington & Hans Diehl
2. Shaking the Salt Habit – Jennifer Nelson & Katherine Zeratsky
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials
The role of GAPHTO in disease prevention in Ghana, public health, national development
Every day across Ghana, thousands of public health professionals wake up before dawn and head into communities, schools, markets, health facilities and households. They inspect sanitation conditions, monitor disease outbreaks, educate communities on healthy practices, investigate health threats and help prevent epidemics before they occur.
Yet despite their critical contribution to national health and development, many Ghanaians know very little about the men and women behind these efforts.
These are the Public Health Technical Officers (PHTOs) — a dedicated workforce that operates largely behind the scenes but serves as one of the country’s most important lines of defence against disease and public health emergencies.
Now, the newly elected President of the Ghana Association of Public Health Technical Officers (GAPHTO), Mr Owusu Ansah Asante, wants to change that.
Having assumed office this year, Mr Asante has placed visibility, professional recognition and strategic advocacy at the centre of his leadership agenda. His goal is to ensure that the work of Public Health Technical Officers is better understood, appreciated and supported by the public, policymakers and development partners.
While doctors and nurses are often the most visible faces of healthcare, Public Health Technical Officers perform preventive functions that help stop diseases before people require medical treatment.
They are involved in environmental sanitation, disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, health promotion, food hygiene inspections, water quality monitoring, vector control and community health education.
Their work becomes especially critical during disease outbreaks such as cholera, meningitis, yellow fever and other infectious diseases that threaten communities.
“When outbreaks occur, our members are among the first responders in the field,” Mr. Asante explained. “They work directly with communities to identify risks, educate the public and implement preventive measures that save lives.”
According to him, preventive healthcare remains one of the most cost-effective investments any nation can make because it reduces the burden on hospitals while improving the overall health and productivity of citizens.
“Many people only think about healthcare when they visit a hospital. Yet there are professionals working every day to prevent diseases before people become patients. That contribution deserves greater public appreciation and support,” he said.
Founded in 1984, GAPHTO has evolved into one of Ghana’s most significant public health professional associations.
Today, the association boasts more than 4,000 members working across districts, municipalities, metropolitan assemblies, regional health directorates and various public health institutions nationwide.
For more than four decades, the association has contributed to Ghana’s efforts in disease prevention, environmental health management, sanitation improvement and public health education.
Members have played active roles in major national health interventions, helping to address public health challenges ranging from sanitation-related diseases to epidemic preparedness and response.
Despite these contributions, Mr Asante believes the profession has not received the level of recognition that matches its impact.
“There is a lot of excellent work being done across the country by Public Health Technical Officers. Unfortunately, much of this work goes unnoticed because it happens quietly in communities. One of our goals is to tell these stories and help people understand the importance of what our members do,” he said.
For the new GAPHTO President, increasing visibility is not merely a public relations exercise.
Instead, he sees communication and public engagement as strategic tools for strengthening public health outcomes and attracting support for preventive healthcare initiatives.
Under his leadership, the association plans to strengthen its communication efforts, improve engagement with the media, expand public education activities and highlight the achievements of members across the country.
Mr Asante believes greater visibility will not only enhance public appreciation for the profession but also create opportunities for partnerships, policy influence and professional development.
“We want GAPHTO to become a household name in matters of public health and disease prevention. When people hear about sanitation, disease surveillance, health promotion and community health protection, they should immediately recognise the role of Public Health Technical Officers,” he said.
Beyond visibility, the new leadership is committed to building the capacity of members to respond to emerging public health challenges.
Rapid urbanisation, climate change, population growth and evolving disease patterns continue to create new public health risks that require innovative solutions and highly skilled professionals.
Mr Asante noted that his administration will focus on continuous professional development, leadership training, research and knowledge sharing to ensure members remain equipped to address contemporary health challenges.
“We live in a rapidly changing world. Public health professionals must continue to upgrade their skills and knowledge to respond effectively to new and emerging threats,” he said.
The GAPHTO President is convinced that the association’s work extends far beyond the health sector.
According to him, effective disease prevention and environmental health management contribute directly to economic growth, educational outcomes and national productivity.
Healthy communities are more productive, children are able to attend school consistently and families spend less on medical treatment when diseases are prevented before they occur.
This, he argues, makes Public Health Technical Officers important contributors to Ghana’s broader development agenda.
“Public health is not only about health. It is about development. It is about creating environments where people can live productive lives and contribute meaningfully to society,” he explained.
As part of his vision, Mr Asante is seeking stronger collaboration between GAPHTO and government institutions, development agencies, civil society organisations, academia and the private sector.
He believes partnerships will be essential for addressing complex public health challenges that require coordinated action across multiple sectors.
The association also hopes to create stronger platforms for advocacy on issues relating to sanitation, environmental health and disease prevention.
As Ghana continues to pursue universal health coverage and strengthen its health systems, Mr Asante believes Public Health Technical Officers must occupy a more prominent place in national conversations about healthcare and development.
His message is simple: disease prevention deserves as much attention as disease treatment, and the professionals who dedicate their careers to protecting communities deserve greater recognition.
For decades, they have worked quietly in the background, helping to keep Ghanaian communities healthy and safe.
Under the leadership of Mr Owusu Ansah Asante, GAPHTO hopes that story will no longer remain hidden.
The association’s new chapter seeks not only to strengthen the profession but also to ensure that the thousands of men and women who stand on the frontlines of disease prevention finally receive the visibility their contributions have long deserved.
By Geoffrey Buta
A good relationship with your boss is critical for job success and career development. Supervisors have a great influence on your stress level, your team and company culture, and ultimately, whether you succeed or fail in a role.
They are also your best resource for support, problem-solving, and personal development. Building a strong relationship with them can be transformative for your work experience and professional growth, but navigating this connection can be complex.
Here are some key values and characteristics that will help you along the way.
- Be authentic
It is important to be yourself when building any new relationship. Do not be over-the-top trying to impress or kiss up to a manager. Be authentic and try to build a genuine connection with them instead. This will be incredibly helpful when it comes to dealing with personal issues, having difficult conversations, and building trust.
- Be empathetic and respectful
Bosses are human beings with their own professional pressures and personal lives, so it is important to maintain empathy toward them. Strive to get to know them on a personal level; you do not need to be best friends, but knowing the basics, like their family and hobbies, can be meaningful.
Also, help your supervisor look good. Every leader wants a high-performing and successful team. By developing trust, understanding, and excellent communication, you can help your boss achieve their goals.
- Build trust and add value
Showing initiative will win you big points with almost any boss. Whether setting up regular one-on-ones, volunteering for new projects, or offering help, the benefits of this dedication are twofold.
Proactivity makes leaders feel supported-like you are looking out for them. It also provides opportunities for your individual growth.
Whenever possible, add value beyond the limitations of your job description. Whether you have a special interest or extra capacity, find ways to support your team and relieve pressure. – Source:careers.vikingservice.com
..To be continued
