Editorial
Eat more local foods to stay healthy
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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.
Dear Editor,
Ordering a ride through a ride-hailing app has become a convenient part of modern life. However, for some passengers, what begins as an ordinary journey to their destination can quickly turn into a frightening fight for survival.
In recent times, concerns over the safety and security of passengers have grown, with some people sharing disturbing accounts of alleged attacks by drivers of ride-hailing companies such as Bolt and Yango.
One such incident was narrated to me by a lady who said she narrowly escaped what could have been a deadly encounter with a driver.
According to her, she booked a ride and was on her way to her destination when the driver suddenly cancelled the trip. The driver then stopped the car, got out, and asked her to step out of the vehicle.
She said that, to her shock, the driver pointed a gun at her and ordered her to get back into the car.
Realising the danger she acted quickly, as she banged the car door and began raising an alarm. Her reaction apparently startled the driver, who immediately got back into the car and drove away.
Thankfully, she escaped unharmed. But the incident raises serious questions about passenger safety and the measures being taken by ride-hailing companies to protect their customers.
I therefore urge ride-hailing companies to strengthen their driver-vetting procedures and work closely with the Ghana Police Service to identify, investigate, arrest, and prosecute drivers who may use their platforms to facilitate criminal activities.
Passenger safety should not be treated as an afterthought. People who entrust their lives to ride-hailing services deserve to have confidence that every reasonable measure has been taken to protect them.
I also appeal to the general public to remain cautious and vigilant when ordering rides, particularly late at night. Passengers should verify the driver’s details and vehicle before entering, share their trip information with trusted family members or friends, and avoid ignoring any situation that makes them feel unsafe.
Convenience should never come at the expense of security. Ride-hailing companies, law enforcement agencies, and passengers all have a role to play in making our roads safer.
From Akosua.
Dansoman
The table salt has been a staple of Ghanaian households, restaurants and chop bars, for many generations.
It silently contributes to the escalating public health emergency. But the Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it is time to stop this behaviour.
Health officials are therefore calling on food sellers, restaurateurs, and parents to remove salt from dining tables as it is contributing to a silent epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Dr. Wallace Odiko-Ollennu, Programme Manager of the GHS Non-Communicable Disease Control Programme, correctly points out that making salt less accessible is crucial.
This practice of shaking extra sodium onto a plate before even tasting the dish is broken when extra salt and salty sauces are limited upon request.
By gradually retraining our palates to enjoy natural flavours, this structural modification establishes a psychological barrier and, most importantly, slows the onset of lifestyle disorders like diabetes and hypertension.
This most recent advocacy campaign is especially encouraging because of its approach of spiritual and cultural harmony. This is because Public health cannot live in a vacuum, as acknowledged by the partnership between the GHS, Communication Initiatives for Change (CIC)-Meatless Monday Ghana.
The campaign meets people where they are, family kitchens, and community squares by integrating scientific information with faith-based teachings and communal values.
We are told that a practical, gradual route to wellness is also provided by the editorial support of the “Meatless Monday” idea, which advocates for just one day per week to forgo meat in favour of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and complete grains.
It is a sustainable call for food balance rather than a dramatic demand for complete dietary abstinence. The route to greater health is being made available to every Ghanaian, especially when combined with the GHS’s reminder that regular activity may be found in daily tasks or a simple walk.
However, community workshops and policy proposals are limited. The individual bears the final accountability.
The Spectator endorses the advice that we need to be more conscious of what we eat and actively seek out routine health checks before issues worsen without our knowledge.
Eliminating table salt off our tables is a minor, inconvenient sacrifice that will have enormous benefits in the long-term for our country. It is therefore time for parents to change their kitchens, for food vendors to clear their tables, and for all of us to prioritise long-term health over instant, salty satisfaction
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