Editorial
Eat more local foods to stay healthy
Dietitians have stated that people should eat more locally grown foods in order to maintain their health as consuming processed meals frequently is linked to a host of diseases.
According to them, the population is becoming more likely to suffer from diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity, as a result of the rise in the intake of junk food and highly processed foreign foods.
Food that is extremely low in nutrients is called junk food. They have a lot of additives, processed sugar, salt, and bad fat.
Additionally, junk food that is high in sugar, bad fats, and processed components can have a negative effect on skin health, leading to conditions like acne and inflammation. Regrettably, both urban and rural-urban regions now consume large amounts of these foods.
In Ghana, meals high in fibre that facilitate digestion, including yam, kenkey, and kontomire, should be preferred over processed foods, which have less fibre and do not allow individuals to reap the benefits mentioned above.
Additionally, whole foods like millet, sorghum, yam, cassava, green vegetables, beans, and an assortment of fresh fruits have long been staples of Ghanaian diets, particularly those in the north of the country.
Local food is fresher, tastes better, and is packed with a variety of vital elements that support optimal nutrition and health, like vitamins, minerals, fibre, and healthy fats.
Sadly, some people have developed the bad habit of continuously consuming highly processed meals at the expense of their health, which leads to them eventually becoming afflicted with a variety of ailments that they could have prevented.
This is in contrast to consuming local foods, which would help the agriculture industry.
It should be emphasised that while eating local foods is healthy, it is still important to prepare food in a hygienic manner to avoid contamination and foodborne illnesses. If you do wish to eat junk food, do so in moderation as there are several short- and long-term health concerns associated with frequent junk food consumption.
In order to help prevent some chronic diseases and to support heart health, digestive wellness, and lifespan, The Spectator is advising Ghanaians to eat more locally grown foods that are high in fibre, vitamins, and protein.
By doing that, we can help families avoid illness and repeated hospital visits for bill payment, freeing up a large sum of money for purposes other than healthcare.
To be less stressful make sure you get adequate sleep and drink lots of water in order to help eliminate sugar sweetened beverages.
Parents need to be mindful of the snacks they pack for their children to school to keep their children from developing a junk food addiction. These snacks need to be nutritious.
A public education campaign about the advantages of eating more locally grown foods – such as Wasawasa, Tubaani, Zambarima Zugu, Kapala, Plantain, Cocoyam, Kontomire (Cocoyam leaves), and local spices like Prekese and Dawadawa – must be spearheaded by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. These foods have long been staples of the Ghanaian diet.
The push to promote native grains – like millet, fonio, and sorghum – which are more resilient to climate change and more nutrient-dense than imported wheat and rice – must also be spearheaded by stakeholders.
Editorial
Promote welfare of African children
The African Union hosts the annual International Day of the African Child on June 16 to increase awareness of the rights and ongoing struggles of African children.
Additionally, the day offers a forum for talking about and addressing topics including healthcare, education, and safety from exploitation and abuse.
It began in 1976 when students in Soweto, South Africa, were killed for demonstrating against inequality and injustice in education.
Since children have rights that must be upheld, the African Day celebration is appropriate because it serves as a poignant reminder to our communities to put children’s needs first, ensuring that they develop and realise their full potential.
Most importantly, it pushes people, governments, and communities to address pressing issues like child labour, inadequate education, and to ensure safe, healthy environments.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” is no exception to the efforts done thus far by governments, individuals, parents, and others to advance the welfare of children.
In addition to their rights to nutritious food, medical care, secure housing, and high-quality education, children also require emotional support, safety, and protection from danger in order to flourish.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development depends on these necessities, yet far too many continue to be denied their rights and go without food, housing, water, or health care.
While eating, sleeping, playing, and learning are all important aspects of a child’s growth, some children do not find these activities enjoyable. Such children work independently to make ends meet although their parents are responsible for that role,
Many people and organisations have put a lot of effort into making sure that children’s rights are outlined, upheld, and safeguarded; thus, everyone must keep fighting for children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) was created in 1989 as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which served as the foundation for all legal norms pertaining to children’s rights. This is the first international agreement with legal force that covers all human rights.
Therefore, a multifaceted strategy encompassing legal frameworks, education, community involvement, and tackling systemic challenges is needed to assure the preservation of children’s rights.
Laws that safeguard children from abuse must be put into place and upheld, public awareness of children’s rights and protection must be increased, and safe spaces must be established in institutions and communities.
Let us all work together to defend the rights of African children.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
