Implement laws to regulate the advertisements of unhealthy foods contributing to NCDs-  GPHA to Government

Implement laws to regulate the advertisements of unhealthy foods contributing to NCDs-  GPHA to Government

The Ghana Public Health Association, in collaboration withCoalition of Actors for Public Health Action (CAPHA), has urged the government to implement laws that would curtail the advertisement of food products that contributes to the increase of NCDs in the country.

During a one day training for media professionals on NCDs at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi, Dr Charles Apprey, a Nutritional Biochemist and Lecturer at KNUST, explained that the rise of NCDs is a result of the intake of unhealthy foods containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt, fat, and other unhealthy ingredients.

He continues that the best way to reduce the risk factors of Non-communicable diseases is for the government to implement laws to regulate the advertisements of sugary, salty, and fatty food products in the country.

The Nutritional Biochemist stressed that the most affected people are the children since they are mostly influenced by these sugary and salty foods.

Dr Charles Apprey, a lecturer at KNUST, emphasised that the rate at which NCDs are contributing to the deaths of people in the country is worrying.

Adding that the only way to reduce it is for the government to pass a law that would limit the production of sugary, salty, fatty, and other food products contributing to the rise of NCDs, and there should be indications on packaged foods showing the exact amount of sugar, salt ect for the consumers’ safety.

The Project Lead for NCDs at the Ghana Public Health Association (GPHA), Mr James Mckeown Amoah said 65% people die yearly in Ghana as a result of NCDs, and 41 million people died worldwide from NCDs, which should be a source of worry.

He further urged the government to implement taxes on sugary, salty, and other food products, leading to the rise of NCDs in the country as that would also prevent most consumers from patronising it.

Mr James McKeown Amoah called on media professionals to use their various platforms to educate the general public on foods contributing to the increase of NCDs in the country to help eradicate the risk factors.

 

Story by Gifty Badu Boakye