By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), July 14, GNA – SEND GHANA, in collaboration with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), on Monday organised a symposium on Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling (FOPWL) to promote healthier food choices and strengthen advocacy against the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
The symposium, held at the UHAS campus in Ho, also marked the official launch of the 2026 Diet Week Celebration under the theme: “Empowering the Next Generation as Nutrition Change Leaders in Policy and Community Action Towards Improved Food Security and Sustainable Diets in Ghana.”
The event was organised in partnership with the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND), Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST GHANA) and the School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS-UHAS).
Mrs. Levlyn Konadu Asiedu, Project Coordinator of SEND GHANA, said the symposium sought to deepen participants’ understanding of Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling and its importance in reducing diet-related diseases through informed consumer choices.
She noted that while non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity continued to increase in Ghana, preventive interventions through effective nutrition policies remained critical.
“Our mission is to equip future nutritionists and dietitians with the knowledge and skills to advocate for Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling and promote healthier dietary choices among the public,” she said.
Mrs. Asiedu explained that nutrition professionals would play a crucial role in educating patients, communities and policymakers on the significance of food labelling as a public health intervention.
She urged students to become ambassadors of healthy nutrition by influencing not only their future clients but also their colleagues and families to make healthier food choices.
“We want you to carry out this campaign beyond the classroom. Let the advocacy continue in your communities so that when the policy is finally implemented, you will have contributed to its success,” she said.
Dr. Cedric Dorkenoo, the Director of Academic Affairs and Acting Registrar of the UHAS, stressed the need for stronger enforcement of food labelling regulations to protect consumers.
He observed that many imported food products on the Ghanaian market carried labels written entirely in foreign languages, making it difficult for consumers to understand the nutritional content and potential health risks.
“Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling is designed to help consumers make healthier choices at a glance. Unfortunately, many products on our shelves fail to meet this basic expectation,” he said.
Dr Dorkenoo argued that while government agencies had an important regulatory role, consumers also had a responsibility to demand compliance from manufacturers and importers.
“If every one of us refuses to buy products that are improperly labelled and reports such products to the appropriate authorities, manufacturers will have no choice but to comply with our laws,” he added.
He called on Ghanaians to become more conscious consumers and insist on food products that provide clear, understandable and legally compliant nutritional information.
Professor Fidelis Kpodo, Acting Dean and Head of the School of Allied Health Sciences at UHAS, said Ghana’s healthcare system continued to spend enormous resources treating non-communicable diseases instead of preventing them.
He said prevention must become a national priority by addressing unhealthy food environments through evidence-based policies such as Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling.
“Our health system has traditionally focused on treatment, but prevention offers a more sustainable solution. Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling is one of the globally recognised tools that empowers consumers to make informed food choices,” he said.
Professor Kpodo explained that through the 2026 Diet Week activities, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, together with GANDSA and SEND GHANA, would intensify advocacy and public education on healthy eating and nutrition policy.
He said the initiative aimed to increase public awareness of the health implications of foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats while encouraging healthier diets to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases.
He further called for stronger collaboration among academia, government institutions, civil society organisations and local authorities to promote healthier food environments across Ghana.
Participants at the symposium underscored the importance of introducing mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling as part of broader efforts to improve public health, reduce healthcare costs and encourage food manufacturers to produce healthier products.
Launching the 2026 Diet Week Celebration, Mr. Jonathan Annan-Asare, a Registered Dietitian, said the theme underscored the need for nutrition professionals to go beyond clinical practice by leading advocacy efforts and driving positive change within communities and at the policy level.
He noted that as Ghana continued to grapple with food insecurity, malnutrition and the rising burden of diet-related diseases, the role of nutritionists and dietitians had become increasingly critical in promoting healthier lifestyles and sustainable food systems.
He said the week-long celebration would provide an important platform to educate, engage and inspire the university community while highlighting the vital contribution of dietitians to national development.
Mr. Annan-Asare urged students, health professionals and the public to actively participate in the scheduled activities and embrace the responsibility of becoming ambassadors for good nutrition in their communities.
The event brought together lecturers, nutritionists, dietitians, health professionals, students, policymakers, civil society organisations and development partners to deliberate on practical strategies for advancing nutrition policy and safeguarding the health of Ghanaian consumers.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah