News
Poor nutrition leading cause of disease, death
Poor nutrition has become a leading cause of disease and death globally, particularly in low-income countries, with Ghana facing growing challenges in food quality and access.
Professor Anna Lartey, former Director of Nutrition at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, made this known in a keynote address at the launch of the UG Nkabom Seminar Series, Honours Programme, and Mentorship/Internship Programme in Accra.
“In Ghana, we are not eating well, and our diet has now become a source of disease and death for us,” she said.
The event was held under the theme: ‘Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Agri-Food Revolution in Ghana and Beyond.’
The Nkabom Collaborative is a strategic initiative aimed at transforming Ghana’s agri-food system by empowering youth to take up opportunities in the food and nutrition value chain.
She said globally, about 3.1 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet.
In Africa, the figure is nearly 1 billion, while in Ghana, about 65 per cent of the adult population cannot afford a nutritious diet.
Prof. Lartey said the FAO recommends consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
“If every Ghanaian is going to eat five fruits and vegetables a day, our production will not match our consumption.
“We produce too few fruits and vegetables. But it’s not surprising that our food is highly carbohydrate,” she noted.
Prof. Lartey explained that food systems include production, processing, retail, consumption, and disposal, and emphasised the importance of a clean food environment to support a healthy lifestyle.
“So if you live in an area where the foods around you are highly processed foods and junk foods, it is most likely to influence the kinds of foods you will choose,” she said.
Furthermore, Prof. Lartey observed that Ghana’s food systems do not produce enough of the right foods.
“If you take your plate and put food on your plate, about half of it should be fruits and vegetables,” she advised.
She then called for coordinated national efforts to address food system challenges and promote food security.
Prof. Richmond Aryeetey, UG Nkabom Collaborative Lead, said the initiative was designed to equip youth to become the next generation of tech-enabled farmers, agrifood product developers, manufacturers, and agritechpreneurs.
“We work on three programme lines – education programmes in agrifood systems to develop human resources to drive change in Ghana’s food systems.
“These include a PhD programme in sustainable food systems as well as lifelong learning opportunities through tailored short courses that have been co-created with agrifood industry partners,” he noted.
Prof. Aryeetey added that the programme also seeks to expand access to nutrition and agrifood systems for young women, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.
The third component is entrepreneurship, aimed at supporting youth farmers and food system innovators with mentorship, business incubation, market access, and seed funding.
Mr Piere Brunache, Secretariat Director of the Nkabom Collaborative, said the programme aims to create 55,000 jobs and establish 3,000 Small and Medium Enterprises in the next 10 years.
He urged the youth to seize the opportunity to build skills for employment and contribute to national development. —GNA
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has expressed sorrow over the death of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in a road accident in the Upper West Region.
The deceased are Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, both students at Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School.
“Management of the Ghana Education Service has received with profound sorrow the tragic news of the untimely demise of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, students of Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School in the Upper West Region,” a statement issued by Mr Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations, GES, said.
It said preliminary reports indicated that the students died in a road traffic accident on Sunday, May 3, while travelling to Wa ahead of the commencement of the examination.
“We are deeply saddened that these young lives, full of promise and potential, have been cut short under such distressing circumstances.
“Management and staff of GES, and the entire education community, extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the school, their classmates, and all who have been affected by this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
The statement said Management of the GES would continue to liaise with the appropriate authorities to ascertain full details of the incident and consider measures to prevent similar occurrences. –GNA
