Report by Ben LARYEA
The Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has urged government to initiate steps to develop and implement a comprehensive framework policy on public food procurement and services to prevent the outbreak of non-communicable disease in the country.
In a press release, INSLA have however charged government to prioritise food safety at the upcoming Nutrition for Growth (N4G) summit to be hosted by the government of Japan slated for December 2021 under the theme “Everyone, everywhere needs good nutrition to live a healthy productive life”.
According to the release, the summit will create a global platform for governments, donors, developing partners, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), corporate institutions, civil Society Organisations (CSOs), among others to discuss and deliberate on food security and safety.
“It will also bring to the fore post Covid-19 new policies and initiatives and financial commitments to help address the negative impacts of the pandemic and leverage nutrition as an essential tool in the food value chain system,” the release stated, indicating further that the summit have the potential to enhance and address the challenges of global malnutrition.
It noted that unhealthy diets have accounted for millions of deaths round the world including disability disorders, pointing out that diets which have excess salts, sugar and unwholesome fats, have killed close to 8 million people yearly.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have revealed that diets related to non-communicable diseases accounted for 42% of total deaths as 31% of the disease burden in Ghana and stated further that the disease killed an estimated 86,200 people in Ghana with 55.5% of the victims less than 70 years old.
The press release advised the citizenry to refrain from excessive intake of sugar, avoid fatty food, limit sodium consumption and ensure that salt is iodized for cooking and urged persons to increase the consumption of whole grains, vegetable, fruits, nuts, among others and also drink safe and quality water.
INSLA mission and vision is to enhance the leadership capacity and the promotion of development and to stimulate discussions and actions to make humanity and its environment productive, safety and healthy
