Editorial
Eat healthy food to reduce prevalence of non-communicable diseases
Many Ghanaians are dying as a result of consuming unhealthy diets, therefore nutritional experts have raised concerns about this development.
These deaths are linked to hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases which according to the experts are lifestyle-driven illnesses occurring as a result of the consumption of such unhealthy foods.
According to Dr. Charles Apprey, a nutritional biochemist and lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), “the Ghanaian plate is changing dangerously – from kontomire, abomu (local stew) and abɛkwan (palm soup) to fries, sodas, and pizza.”
These were revealed at a training workshop for media professionals in Kumasi last Thursday. It was organised by the Ghana Public Health Association in collaboration with the Coalition of Actors for Public Health Action (CAPHA).
At the workshop, experts issued a stark call for Ghana to urgently tax unhealthy foods and subsidise healthier options if it hopes to stem the tide of preventable deaths.
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His recommendation of front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) as a tried-and-true technique is commendable as he says that warning labels and traffic-light systems in South Africa, Mexico, Chile, and the United Kingdom (UK) have reduced purchases of high-sugar and high-salt products.
“More than 94,000 Ghanaians died from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), a figure, which experts warn, are not just a statistic but a silent epidemic eroding the nation’s future.
“What stops us as a country from taxing these unhealthy foods, build silos in our markets, and reduce their consumption?” Dr. Apprey challenged, arguing that fiscal measures could save thousands of lives.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that in 2016, globally, NCDs account for 71 per cent of all deaths, and Ghana mirrors this trend with about 45 percent of national deaths linked to the above diseases.
He therefore proposes a five-point agenda to reduce exposure risks such as poor diet; strengthen early detection and management; build resilient health systems; foster multisectoral collaboration; and secure sustainable funding.
To create a healthy-enabling food environment where the healthier choice becomes the easier choice, Dr. Apprey called for bans on junk food advertisement during children’s TV programming, restrictions on celebrity endorsements, and limits on outdoor advertising near schools.
The Spectator is concerned about the high prevalence of NCDs, therefore we appeal to Ghanaians to embrace the consumption of healthier food and work towards the reduction of NCDs in the country.
Dear Editor,
On many streets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a growing trend of drug abuse is causing concern among parents, teachers and health workers.
Young people, some as young as 15, are reportedly abusing substances such as tramadol, marijuana, shisha and other dangerous drug mixtures. What may begin as an attempt to “feel high” can develop into addiction and have devastating consequences.
Many young people are introduced to substance abuse through peer influence, sometimes while in Senior High School. Some begin using marijuana or misusing prescription drugs under the mistaken belief that these substances will help them stay awake to study.
Teachers and parents may observe warning signs, including red eyes, unusual sleepiness, sudden aggression or significant changes in behaviour. Some young people may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with unemployment, family difficulties, heartbreak or pressure to make money.
A major concern is the alleged availability of illicit drugs near schools, in some communities and through social media and messaging platforms.
Drug abuse is not simply about “feeling high.” Substance misuse can have serious consequences for physical and mental health and may contribute to anxiety, depression and other health complications. It can also lead to poor academic performance, school dropout, job loss, financial difficulties and involvement in criminal activities.
This fight must involve all of us; it cannot be left to the police alone.
Parents need to maintain open communication with their children, take an interest in their friendships and pay attention to significant changes in behaviour. Most importantly, parents should create an environment in which their children feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges.
Schools, churches and mosques should also intensify education on the dangers of drug abuse. Former addicts and health professionals can be invited to speak to young people and share practical experiences, rather than relying solely on warnings and preaching.
The Government and relevant agencies must also enforce laws against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs while expanding access to affordable prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Drug abuse among our youth is a threat to the future of our communities and our country. We must act collectively and urgently to protect young people from addiction and give those already struggling a genuine opportunity to recover.
Richard
Kumasi
By Spectator Reporter
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BREAST cancer is no longer a silent killer spoken about only in whispers, thanks to the annual flood of pink ribbons, walks and corporate events that take place every October.
During a screening event at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms Antoinette Kwofie, Chairperson of the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, noted that the volume of breast cancer awareness campaigns was “enormous.”
However, her reminder that “awareness without action is not enough” cuts through the celebrations and highlights a critical challenge.
If Ghana is to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths, the national conversation must go beyond the colour pink and confront the institutional, financial and psychological barriers that can turn a treatable diagnosis into a death sentence.
Significant visibility can easily be mistaken for significant impact. A sea of pink shirts and prominent corporate sponsorships may create a reassuring impression of progress. But awareness is only the beginning of what can be a difficult clinical journey.
A woman does not automatically schedule a mammogram or have her breasts examined simply because she knows that breast cancer exists.
Late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in Ghana. Many women still present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes less favourable. For these women, lack of awareness is no longer the main issue; rather, the challenge lies in what happens after they become aware of the disease or notice a possible symptom.
To close the gap between awareness and action, we must address the reasons why women delay screening and early diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis remains highly stigmatised and is often perceived as an immediate death sentence. We need more public counter-narratives that demonstrate that early detection can lead to survival and full, productive lives, as the survivors at the MTN event illustrated.
While educational activities and basic clinical examinations are often offered free during Pink October, the ordinary Ghanaian may not be able to afford the full diagnostic pathway, including ultrasounds, mammograms, biopsies and, eventually, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery.
Real action requires making these essential diagnostic and staging services more widely accessible and affordable.
Fear and financial constraints also lead some patients to seek herbal medicines, prayer camps or alternative therapies before seeking medical care. By the time they arrive at a health facility, the disease may have progressed considerably.
Clinical leaders such as Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai of Breast Care International, and initiatives such as the event organised by the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, offer an example of what “purposeful pink” should look like.
Rather than merely distributing leaflets, such initiatives provide education and connect women with immediate professional screening and guidance through health institutions, including Ridge Medical Centre and Peace and Love Hospital.
They replace abstract concern with practical healthcare support and navigation.
However, breast cancer does not disappear on November 1. If Ghana is to make meaningful progress in this fight, the spirit of Pink October must be translated into a year-round commitment.
This should include strengthening regular breast health education and clinical examinations within routine primary healthcare services across the country. It also requires sustained community-level education to demystify the disease, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly.
Awareness encourages conversation, but early action can save lives.
It is time to insist that every pink ribbon worn on a lapel is backed by a concrete commitment to making screening accessible, ensuring timely care and making treatment more affordable for every woman.
Only then can awareness truly be translated into action—and lives saved.
By Spectator Reporter
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