Levlyn Konadu Asiedu
SEND GHANA, the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development have urged the government to implement policies aimed at reducing Non Communicable Disease (NCDs) particularly kidney disease and other chronic illnesses in the country.
Project Lead for the Advocacy on Mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling (FOPWL), Levlyn Konadu Asiedu, said the nation is confronting a quiet but dangerous public health crisis that is impacting millions of lives and straining both household and national resources.
“We are here today to draw attention to a growing public health concern and send an alarm—our current food environment is making Ghanaians sick, and we must urgently empower people with clear information to protect their health,” she stated.
Madam Asiedu highlighted alarming statistics indicating that over 4 million people are living with chronic kidney disease—a situation that demands urgent prioritisation.
“Medical experts have reported around 400 new cases of end-stage kidney disease at health facilities each year. These figures are not mere statistics; they reflect a challenge that is affecting many families across the country. Chronic kidney disease progresses silently,” she added.
She noted that many individuals remain undiagnosed until the disease reaches advanced stages, making treatment complex and expensive.
“Dialysis and kidney transplantation remain inaccessible for most Ghanaians due to high costs. Health facilities are increasingly burdened by a wide range of chronic illnesses, including chronic kidney failure, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases,” she explained.
In response, she said Parliament approved GH¢2.9 billion for healthcare funding in 2026 alone—resources that could otherwise support productive sectors of the economy.
This, she said, highlights the urgent need for the government to accelerate the introduction of a mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Food Labelling (FOPWL) policy in the country.
She explained that this policy would provide a direct, evidence-based solution by placing clear warning symbols on ultra-processed products that exceed defined thresholds for salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, non-sugar sweeteners, and other nutrients of public health concern.
“FOPWL allows consumers to quickly identify unhealthy products and make better choices. Unlike back-of-pack nutrition panels—which are often technical, printed in small fonts, or written in foreign languages—FOPWL provides instant, easy-to-understand information at a glance,” she stated.
Madam Asiedu reiterated that the urgency of implementing this policy cannot be overstated, as Ghana is already witnessing a rise in diet-related non-communicable diseases. “Without decisive action, the number of people living with kidney disease will continue to increase,” she warned.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke