By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, March 22, GNA – The Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) has organised a symposium on Front-of-Package Warning Labelling (FOPWL) and Nutrition Profiling Models (NPM) as part of efforts towards addressing the country’s rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
FOPWL and NPM are globally recognised tools that empower consumers to make informed dietary choices and contribute to the development of healthier food environment.
The symposium was in collaboration with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the University for Development Studies (UDS) while SEND Ghana, an NGO, serves as an implementing partner of the initiative.
It brought together key stakeholders including nutrition and academic experts, policymakers, and students among others.
It was to produce a comprehensive report summarising key outcomes and recommendations to inform policy development and further academic discourse in the country.
Mr Joseph Bamfoh Danquah, General Secretary of GAND and FOPWL Project Liaison Officer, speaking during the symposium in Tamale, touched on the crucial role of the food environment in combating NCDs and fostering evidence-based policymaking.
He emphasised the importance of academic institutions in shaping public health discourse and policy, making the symposium a vital platform for collaboration.
He said “This collaboration provides an opportunity for the university to lead discussions on critical public health tools like FOPWL and NPM. By hosting this symposium, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics will contribute significantly to addressing Ghana’s food environment challenges and shaping national policy.”
Dr Ernest Bonah, Northern Regional Principal Regulatory Officer, Food and Drugs Authority, emphasised need for increased advocacy and sensitisation campaigns to improve the country’s food environment and influence national policies.
He urged food producers to clearly label their products with indicators of nutrient levels such as high, medium, or low to help consumers make informed choices.
Miss Umar Farouk Saida, a Level 400 student from the Department of Nutrition at UDS, shared her insights saying, “This symposium has really exposed me to key concepts including food packaging, signs to look out for when purchasing products, the importance of labeling, and how to determine product expiry dates.”
GNA
EA/KOA