Catch the talk: here is our expert discussion on the public food procurement and service policy.
On the 25th of May, 2024, Dr. Percival Agordoh, the vice president of the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, was featured on the Citi TV Breakfast Show, to offer valuable insights on the topic “Food Marketing and Your Child’s Health” Dr. Agordoh began by defining food marketing, highlighting its scope from packaging and promotion to advertisements on TV, billboards, and other media. He emphasized that children are particularly vulnerable to these marketing strategies, which often promote unhealthy snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages. This marketing approach has been linked to rising rates of obesity among children, which can lead to serious health issues such as hypertension and diabetes later in life. In response, GAND and HD4HL are advocating for the implementation of marketing regulations to restrict the advertisement of unhealthy food products, particularly in areas near schools. Dr. Agordoh concluded by stressing the importance of collective effort in fostering a healthier food environment for Ghanaian children. He called on all stakeholders to support these initiatives and work together to disseminate this crucial message.
GPHA
Stay informed with our campaign and educational messages on the policy
Creating Awareness through mass floats
Float 1
On February 14, 2024, the Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy held a successful float in Kumasi to promote the Healthier Diets for Healthy Lives (HD4HL) project and advocate for food-related fiscal policies in Ghana. The event was coordinated by a dedicated Local Organizing Committee (LOC) from the Ghana Public Health Association (GPHA). The float began at the Cultural Center and covered major areas such as Pampaso, Adum, and Kejetia. Participants wore T-shirts highlighting the project's four policies, and distributed banners, flyers, and 1,000 informational flyers to raise awareness.
The float's impact was significantly amplified by extensive media coverage from several outlets, including the Ghana News Agency, Graphic Communications, Oyerepa TV and FM, Media General (TV3, Onua TV, and Akoma FM), and Despite Media (UTV, Peace FM, and Hello FM). This broad media exposure helped reach a wider audience, furthering public awareness of the HD4HL project and its objectives. The event was also supported by security from three policemen and standby medical care from the National Ambulance Service, ensuring a safe and effective advocacy effort.
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Float 2
As part of week-long celebration, of the Ghana Association of Nutrition and Dietetics Students Association of the University of Cape Coast (GANDSA-UCC), and in collaboration with the Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy (CAPHA) and the Ghana Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND), organized a mass float to raise awareness on the dangers of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and to advocate for their support of the SSB taxes in Ghana. The mass float which was under Healthy Diets for Healthier Diets (HD4HL) included participants sharing messages and displaying placards highlighting the risks of excessive SSB consumption. The President of GANDSA-UCC in her speech, emphasized the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the youth, noting that 43% of deaths in Ghana are due to NCDs such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and respiratory diseases. She pledged GANDSA-UCC support for SSB taxes as effective interventions and urged the public, especially students, to choose healthier food options like fresh juices and water as alternatives. The ended with a vote of thanks, recognizing the support of HD4HL, CAPHA, and their partners in promoting a healthier food environment in Ghana.
SONGTABA
Creating Awareness through mass floats
On February 3, 2024, Songtaba, a Non-Governmental Organization, as part of the Healthy Diets for Healthier Lives (HD4HL) Project and in partnership with the Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy (CAPHA) and the University of Ghana, to sensitize the public on the impact of dietary choices organized a mass float in Tamale to raise awareness about the importance of healthy diets in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The event was held in collaboration with various organizations and youth groups such as the Ghana Red Cross Society, Association of Community Nutrition Students (ASCONS-UDS), Activista, Girls Advocacy Network, Young Urban Women Network, Ghana Police Service, and Ambulance Service, aimed to educate residents on the benefits of healthy diets. The float started at Jubilee Park, and participants, including staff from Songtaba and several youth groups, paraded through the central streets of Tamale, engaging the public with informative placards, banners, brochures, music and dance. Participants distributed educational materials and sharing messages about healthy eating. Key speeches were delivered by leaders and representatives from participating organizations, emphasizing the urgent need for policy changes to promote healthier food environments and reduce malnutrition.