By Albert Allotey
Accra, – Oct. 2, GNA – Stakeholders at a forum have tasked the National TFA Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group to draft a document (concept notes) to help in the implementation of a ban on partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in Ghana.
They also urged the Group to contact the Ghana Standard Authority to incorporate the (2gms per 100g fats in all foods) and the ban of PHOs in the various food standards that has oil/oils products.
The stakeholders took the decision at the first National High-Level Forum on the implementation of the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy (2025-2030) organised by the Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA) in Accra on Thursday.
The forum was on the theme: “From Strategy to Action: Accelerate the Implementation of Ghana’s National TFA Strategy to protect Heart Health.”
It was under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and supported by the National TFA Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (MS-TWG).
The stakeholders recommended the development of communication materials for awareness creation, and education on the harm in the consumption of PHOs, the ban, and behavioural change in schools, communities, and marketplaces across the country.
They also urged for the building of capacity on the testing of TFAs in Ghana, while building sustainable financing mechanisms, and to engage industry players for reformation of products.
Dr Hafez Adam Taher, the Director of Technical Coordination of the Ministry of Health in an address urged stakeholders to build consensus on the practical and effective implementation of the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy (TFA) (2025-2030).
He said manufacturers, retailers, regulators, researchers, civil society, and development partners should build consensus on the preferred regulatory route and agree on a clear implementation timeline.
Dr Taher also called on the stakeholders to agree on measures to close the gap, including a national baseline assessment and strengthen laboratory capacity, while identifying sustainable financing mechanisms for the implementation of the strategy.
He said the Ministry of Health would continue to provide direction and coordination, work with the relevant institutions and partners, and support the implementation of the Strategy.
Dr Taher emphasised that Ghana launched the strategy in October 2024 to move decisively towards eliminating industrially produced trans-fat from the food supply.
“What is required now is coordinated action, clear responsibilities, adequate financing, and effective monitoring,” he said, and encouraged all stakeholders to agree on practical actions, responsible institutions, and timelines for the implementation.
Mr Benjamin Anabila, the Executive Director of INSLA in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the goal of the National Strategy which was in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) REPLACE Action Framework was to protect heart-health of all people living in Ghana by eliminating TFA in the food supply.
He said INSLA had noted rapid rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and hypertension, accounting to 43 per cent of deaths according to the World Health Organisation (WH0).
Mr Anabila said a major driver as identified by the WHO was unhealthy diet high in industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA), found largely in partially hydrogenated cooking oils.
He said the INSLA and MS-TWG found it appropriate therefore to organise the first National High-Level Forum on the implementation of the strategy to save the people of Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei