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Consumption of cocoa products boosts immune system-Chief Pharmacist
Cocoa drinks and products can help boost the immune system, Chief Pharmacist at the Cocoa Clinic in Accra, Dr. Edward Amporful, has said .
He explained that taking cocoa drink could help reduce blood clots on the brains especially of COVID patients and promote longevity, adding “cocoa products are natural blood thinners and would help reduce weight and diabetes.”
Dr Amporful, who is chairman of the Cocoa Consumption Committee, made these revelations when he delivered a talk on ‘ why consume cocoa products’ at the opening of Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) Sales Depot at COCOBOD warehouse at Kejabil, in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region, on Thursday.
He indicated that cocoa, a good natural resource base for Ghana, had been a blessing over the years and, therefore, efforts must be made to utilise its potentials for health and longevity needs of the people.
Ghana, he noted, had in the past, pursued value addition programmes to cocoa products, but, it was not doing enough to boost consumption of the products.
Dr Amporful indicated that the European FoodSafety Authority had averaged at least 2.7 kilogrammes cocoa consumption per person dailybut regretted that, Ghana in its entirety was doing just about 50 grammes.
“Fifty grammes is not the way to go. At least 2.7 kilogrammes per person daily, according to European Food Safety Authority. That’s key. Cocoa consumption has a huge consequences for Africa to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area(ACFTA) and increase daily consumption.” he added.
Cocoa products, the Chief Pharmacist mentioned, had vitamins, fats and minerals better than what coffee could provide for a person, noting that but in Ghana, people consumed coffee more than cocoa, a good natural product.”
“It’s a complete food for the morning when you wake up at least take a bar of chocolate and be ready for the day, that’s your breakfast. The beauty of cocoa is that you can add or blend with everything even with your Hausa Koko.” Dr Amporful stressed.
He told the gathering that research had shown that cocoa products could help reduce high bold pressure, stroke in the elderly, increase brain power as well as reduce blood clots and even malaria.
Ghana, he said, was one of the 11 countries reporting high malaria cases but had not focused on cocoa consumption as one important health solution to reduce the burden of the disease on the citizens.
“Even with erectile dysfunction from head to toe, cocoa has more satisfaction and it’s by far ahead of time. We need to do about 5kg daily per person, and we are doing just 50 grammes.” Dr Amporful stated
From Clement Adzei Boye, Kejabil
News
NTC staff demonstrate prowess in fire fighting
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Tuesday held a sensitisation workshop on fire safety for staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator.
It created awareness on fire prevention and safety measures to prevent fire in the home or office.
During the practical session, a section of the staff were taken through fire outbreaks drills steps to take in fire .
tries his hands on
one of the traditional
way to combat fire
Nortey led the demonstration exercise
to staff before the demonstration exercise
of staff Herty Nortey to put off a fire
Can-Tamakloe trying to
extinguish the fire
Led by Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO 1) Isaac Tengfaa, the staff were taught how to use the different types of fire extinguishers to combat fire.
He said it was important for home owners and office workers to put off every electrical gadget at work before leaving for their respective home because more fires in offices occur at closing hours.
He said fire incidence often resulted from carelessness, ignorance or natural occurrence.
Supported by ADO I Richard Mensah, ADO I Eunice Ceasar and Fire woman Anita Amponsah, some of the staff tried their hands on the fire extinguishers and other modes of combatting fire.
By Linda Abrefie Wadie
News
GJA commits to fighting ‘galamsey’
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Kwabena Dwumfour, has expressed the association’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining, known in the local parlance as ‘galamsey.’
According to him, the association was worried that forest reserves, water bodies and farm lands were being destroyed and degraded, all in the name of gold mining.
He said this when he addressed a press conference on issues affecting the nation and welfare of Journalists.
The GJA president indicated that in the mining communities, law and order were crumbling with impunity, with associated human right abuses, adverse and forced possessions of individual lands and farms while the decentralised administrative arms of government and traditional authorities seem to be helpless.
Turning his attention to assurances given by President John Dramani Mahama to fight illegal mining, the GJA President stressed that those assurances were welcomed, but urged the President to honour them.
“We welcome the assurances and commitment of President Mahama towards the fight against galamsey and it is our prayer that he will not relent or give up but honour his promise of stopping illegal mining in the country,” Mr Dwumfour emphasised.
He pledged the GJA’s support for the government in curbing the menace.
“We reiterate our condemnation of all illegal mining activities and demand urgent steps to be taken to tackle the issues head-on. There should be strict enforcement of all mining laws and regulations without any concessions, as well as the imposition of maximum sentences on offenders. This is a reliable approach to addressing this issue,” Mr Dwumfour added.
“The GJA urges the media to maintain the galamsey issue at the forefront until the menace was eliminated. As indicated in previous press conferences, we will not stop highlighting the issues until Galamsey stops,” he urged.
