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Ghana grooming future diabetics …Health Experts warn
Ghana is ‘grooming future diabetics’ as unhealthy eating habits, the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles continue to expose more children and young people to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), nutrition experts have warned.
The warning was issued at the Editors’ Forum on Mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Food Labelling (FoPWL) Advocacy, organised by SEND Ghana and its partners in Accra.
Speaking at the forum, the President of the Ghana Association of Nutritionists and Diebetics, Rev. Prince Baidoo, said Ghana’s changing food environment was fuelling a rise in obesity, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and other diet-related diseases.
According to him, the country is undergoing a nutrition transition in which traditional diets are increasingly being replaced by highly processed foods rich in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.
“Today’s food environment is creating tomorrow’s diabetes and hypertension cases,” he said, expressing concern about the growing consumption of sugary drinks and processed snacks among children.
Rev. Baidoo noted that while Ghana had made progress in tackling hunger and under nutrition, it was now facing a growing burden of diet-related diseases driven by poor eating habits and physical inactivity.
He attributed the trend to rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles and lamented the gradual abandonment of traditional foods such as yam, cassava, cocoyam and millet-based meals in favour of processed alternatives.
The nutrition expert urged Ghanaians to consume more fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains while reducing their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods.
Supporting the call for healthier food environments, Project Officer at SEND Ghana, Ms Baaba Sam, said Front-of-Pack Warning Labels would help consumers quickly identify foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fats.
She explained that the proposed labelling system is based on the World Health Organisation’s Nutrient Profile Model, which sets recommended limits for nutrients linked to chronic diseases.
Under the system, manufacturers whose products exceed the recommended thresholds would be required to display warning labels prominently on the front of packaging to alert consumers.
Ms Sam noted that although nutrition information is available on the back of most food packages, many consumers either overlook it or find it difficult to understand.
“The warning labels make it easier for consumers to quickly identify products that are high in sugar, salt or saturated fats and make informed decisions,” she said.
According to her, the measure would not only empower consumers to make healthier choices but also encourage manufacturers to reformulate products by reducing unhealthy ingredients.
Ms Sam disclosed that a draft Front-of-Pack Warning Food Labelling policy had already been developed through collaboration between the Ministry of Health, civil society organisations and other stakeholders and was currently undergoing technical review.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The Attorney General has filed an application at the High Court seeking to set aside an earlier order that allowed Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the first accused in a pending criminal case, to travel to the United Kingdom for specialist medical treatment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice said the application was filed on behalf of the Republic after new information came to the attention of prosecutors following the court’s decision on June 29, 2026.
According to the Office, the new developments significantly change the circumstances under which the court granted Mr. Aludiba permission to travel.
The Attorney General said court documents filed in support of the application allege that Mr. Aludiba attempted to use an order from a differently constituted High Court in a separate case to access money held in bank accounts that remain frozen under valid orders obtained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The Office said the bank reportedly declined the attempted withdrawal and informed the investigative authorities.
According to the statement, the alleged attempt happened shortly before Mr. Aludiba was scheduled to leave Ghana.
It said the development raises concerns about compliance with existing court orders, the integrity of the ongoing criminal trial, and the possibility that he may not return to face trial if allowed to leave the country.
The Attorney General said these facts were not before the court when it granted the travel request and could influence its decision if they had been known.
It said the application is asking the High Court to reconsider its earlier decision in the interest of justice.
The Office stressed that the application is part of the normal legal process under Ghanaian law and does not seek to determine the outcome of the criminal case.
It noted that Mr. Aludiba continues to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The statement further disclosed that following his arrest, Mr. Aludiba has been granted bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
The Office of the Attorney General said it will not comment further because the matter is currently before the High Court.
It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the integrity of criminal proceedings and ensuring due process for all accused persons.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has denied reports suggesting that GH¢308,000 was stolen from the Authority by one of its personnel.
In a statement, the DVLA said the money at the centre of the alleged theft case does not belong to the Authority and was not taken from any of its accounts.
According to the Authority, the case involves a personal dispute between two individuals, one of whom is a former National Service Personnel who currently works with the DVLA on contract.
It explained that although the individual is attached to the Authority, the alleged offence has no connection with its operations, finances or official duties.
The DVLA said it has not suffered any financial loss as a result of the incident and described media reports suggesting otherwise as inaccurate and misleading.
The Authority was reacting to a media publication with the headline: “DVLA Service Personnel allegedly steals GH¢308K to purchase Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a Samsung 50-inch television set and pay sibling’s school fees.”
It urged media organisations and the public to report the matter accurately to avoid creating the false impression that public funds belonging to the DVLA had been stolen.
The DVLA assured the public that its financial systems remain secure and that its operations have not been affected.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and accountability, adding that it has confidence in the legal process and will fully cooperate with the police if required.
By: Jacob Aggrey
