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Rise in consumption of processed food worrying
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…Embrace traditional foods to avoid diabetes, other diseases
The quest to embrace traditional and locally sourced foods is gaining momentum as health experts warn of the growing health dangers associated with processed diets.
According to dieticians, the rise in consumption of ‘fast-food’ and highly processed imported foodstuff, has increased diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity among the populace.
One of such concerned advocates for consumption of traditional foodstuff is Madam Salma Abdulai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMAATI Quality Food Company and a lead exporter of fonio, a nutritious traditional food full.
It is rich in fiber, vitamins, and protein and helps in the prevention of some chronic diseases.
Speaking with The Spectator, Madam Abdulai described as unfortunate the switch and over concentration on fast-food which is creating many health problems for Ghanaians.
Though it has become widespread in the urban and rural-urban areas, Madam Abdulai added her voice to those of other professionals urging Ghanaians to embrace the rich traditional food heritage, known for its nutritional value and health benefits.
According to her, Ghanaian diets, especially those in northern Ghana have long been based on whole foods like millet, sorghum, yam, cassava, leafy vegetables, beans, and a variety of fresh fruits.
These foods, she explained, were nutrient-dense, offering a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats.
In sharp contrast to many Western-style diets which are heavy in refined sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives, the traditional cuisines promotes heart health, digestive wellness, and longevity,” she said.
She also said that countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal are leading the movement to promote indigenous grains such as millet, fonio, and sorghum, which are highly nutritious and more climate-resilient than imported crops like rice and wheat.
Madam Awudu Amina Pagnaa, founder of Duduhgu, a traditional kitchen dedicated to revitalising and preserving indigenous food knowledge, said there was a campaign where citizens are educated on the benefits of consuming more locally grown foods, including wasawasa, Tubaani, Zambarima Zugu, Kapala, plantain, cocoyam, kontomire (Cocoyam leaves), and local spices such as prekese and dawadawa, which have long been staples of the Ghanaian diet.
According to her, those foods are not only promoting health but are more sustainable for the environment, as they grow well in West African climates without the need for extensive chemical inputs.
She said some hotels and restaurants in the Northern region are gradually introducing traditional foods, like fonio dishes, bitter leaf, okra and ayoyo which are packed with antioxidants and fibre.
She further said, “those dishes are not just cultural icons; they are also some of the healthiest meals we can eat.”
From Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
Egypt will host Africa’s new flagship business summit this October, as leaders from across the continent converge in the newly built smart city of New Alamein for the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum.
The forum is scheduled for October 2-4, 2026 in New Alamein, Egypt’s fourth-generation coastal megacity.
The city combines advanced infrastructure, modern residential districts, international universities, cultural landmarks, and major tourism and investment projects under one master plan.
Dubbed “the continent’s premier gathering where political power meets entrepreneurial prowess,” the forum is expected to bring together over 20 African Heads of State and Government, senior leaders from leading international and regional financial institutions, and key players driving transformation across Africa’s most critical sectors.
Co-organised by the Government of Egypt, African Export-Import Bank, and AUDA-NEPAD, the Alamein Africa Forum is designed as a permanent biennial platform to advance strategic partnerships and unlock investment across Africa and global markets.[Afreximbank]
The agenda will focus on sectors defining Africa’s future: infrastructure, energy, digital transformation, manufacturing, critical minerals, health markets, and intra-African trade*.
The programme will feature high-level plenary sessions, sector-focused panels, closed-door roundtables, and structured B2B and B2G meetings aimed at facilitating concrete deals and long-term partnerships.
Special sessions will also highlight Egypt’s role as a regional hub and gateway to African markets.
The inaugural forum will be held in parallel with the 2026 African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and the 33rd Annual Meetings of Afreximbank.
Organizers say the forum will serve as a launchpad to translate the African Union’s 50-year strategic master plan, Agenda 2063, into concrete projects, policies and partnerships that will define Africa’s economic trajectory for the next decade.
“In an era of shifting alliances and rising volatility, Africa can no longer afford to be a bystander in decisions that shape its own economic future,” organizers stated.
The forum aims to place the private-sector agenda at the heart of AU decision-making, lower investment risk, unlock capital, and build cross-border partnerships to strengthen Africa’s resilience to external shocks.
Located on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, New Alamein represents Egypt’s vision for smart, sustainable urban development. Hosting the forum there is expected to showcase the city as both a symbol of African modernization and a hub for investment and innovation.
By bringing public and private sector leadership into one alliance, the Alamein Africa Forum is positioned to become Africa’s go-to space for turning commitments into implementation.
By Chris KONEY, for Egyptian Embassy, ACCRA.
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on stakeholders in the Bono Region to raise the bar on professionalism and patriotism if the region is to unlock its full tourism potential.
Speaking during a familiarisation tour of the region, the Minister met with staff of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCs).
The engagement focused on how to position Bono as a leading cultural and tourism destination in Ghana.
Gomashie challenged public institutions to take a cue from the private sector by improving service delivery and embracing efficiency.
“Our institutions must be intentional about the way we serve the public,” she said, adding that “We need stronger collaboration and public-private partnerships to attract the right investment and build the tourism infrastructure that will make Bono competitive.”
The Minister urged MMDCs to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry and its agencies to identify, develop and promote key tourist attractions in their districts.
She also stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage while creating an enabling environment for investors in tourism, culture and the creative arts.
The Minister added that “Tourism is not just about beautiful sites. It is about stories, about our heritage, and about the opportunities we create for our people.”
“This work we do today is not for ourselves alone. It is for Ghana and for generations yet unborn,” she noted.
Dzifa Gomashie further called on all stakeholders to build on the foundation inherited from previous leaders and leave behind a stronger, more vibrant sector.
The tour forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to decentralize tourism development and ensure every region benefits from Ghana’s growing creative economy.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
