Public must make healthy food choices to avert diseases, health cost – GhNCDA 

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Accra-Ghana, Dec. 23, GNA – The Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (GhNCDA) has urged the public to make healthy food choices during the festive season to avert disease and health cost.
It said the consumption of foods and drinks such as sugar sweetened beverages, alcohol and the smoking of tobacco and shisha increase disease burden including cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancers, hypertension, diabetes among others.
A statement signed by Mr Labram Musah, the National Coordinator of the GhNCDA and copied the Ghana News Agency said the conditions were not only risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), but major causes of illnesses.
It stated that the unhealthy commodity industries led by “Big Alcohol, Big Food, and Big Soda” leverage on the yuletide for commercial gains, without any concern for the health of the public.
“Meanwhile their products contribute to and remain major risk factors for NCDs,” the statement said adding that “foods, diet, and nutritional status, including overweight and obesity, are associated with elevated blood pressure and blood resistance to the action of insulin.”
“We wish to remind the public of the popular saying that “we are what we eat,” and “We want to encourage you to make healthy choices of food in the festive season and not to be swayed away by the deception advertisements shown online and TV by the industry.”
The statement said it was an irony that the companies whose products increase the risk of NCDs, and kill 41 million people annually, equivalent to 71 per cent of all deaths globally have positioned themselves as champions and partners in humanitarian services to protect population health.
It stated that for the young adolescent and the youth this was the time they would be exposed to all unhealthy activities including tobacco smoking (shisha and electronic cigarettes and alcoholic drinks) and cautioned them to refrain from the temptation of these products during the festivities.
“Don’t be deceived by the appealing flavours, shisha is tobacco in disguise and even more harmful to your health as a session or an hour of shisha smoke is approximately 100 to 200 sticks of cigarettes. Take your health into your own hands- before you take a puff, remember you only live once,” it admonished.
The Ghana NCD Alliance appealed to the public to make healthier options a routine this Christmas by making exercise a priority, avoiding foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, ‘say no to tobacco and alcohol’ – opt for fresh fruits, and drink a lot of water to keep hydrated.
“Also please be cautious of the products you buy in the open market to avoid poisoning and other health consequences,” it added.
The statement called on the Food and Drugs Authority and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to intensify their surveillance at the various borders, unapproved routes and the markets to impound unregistered, unwholesome and expired products to protect the public.
It urged the media as a key stakeholder in the fight for stronger public health systems to highlight the health concerns of the people to bring relief to them, saying; “Championing public health gains is a collective responsibility and we can triumph together.”
“We wish you a HEALTHY, Sober Free Christmas and a Happy New Year!”