News
Rise in consumption of processed food worrying
…Embrace traditional foods to avoid diabetes, other diseases
The quest to embrace traditional and locally sourced foods is gaining momentum as health experts warn of the growing health dangers associated with processed diets.
According to dieticians, the rise in consumption of ‘fast-food’ and highly processed imported foodstuff, has increased diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity among the populace.
One of such concerned advocates for consumption of traditional foodstuff is Madam Salma Abdulai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMAATI Quality Food Company and a lead exporter of fonio, a nutritious traditional food full.
It is rich in fiber, vitamins, and protein and helps in the prevention of some chronic diseases.
Speaking with The Spectator, Madam Abdulai described as unfortunate the switch and over concentration on fast-food which is creating many health problems for Ghanaians.
Though it has become widespread in the urban and rural-urban areas, Madam Abdulai added her voice to those of other professionals urging Ghanaians to embrace the rich traditional food heritage, known for its nutritional value and health benefits.
According to her, Ghanaian diets, especially those in northern Ghana have long been based on whole foods like millet, sorghum, yam, cassava, leafy vegetables, beans, and a variety of fresh fruits.
These foods, she explained, were nutrient-dense, offering a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats.
In sharp contrast to many Western-style diets which are heavy in refined sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives, the traditional cuisines promotes heart health, digestive wellness, and longevity,” she said.
She also said that countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal are leading the movement to promote indigenous grains such as millet, fonio, and sorghum, which are highly nutritious and more climate-resilient than imported crops like rice and wheat.
Madam Awudu Amina Pagnaa, founder of Duduhgu, a traditional kitchen dedicated to revitalising and preserving indigenous food knowledge, said there was a campaign where citizens are educated on the benefits of consuming more locally grown foods, including wasawasa, Tubaani, Zambarima Zugu, Kapala, plantain, cocoyam, kontomire (Cocoyam leaves), and local spices such as prekese and dawadawa, which have long been staples of the Ghanaian diet.
According to her, those foods are not only promoting health but are more sustainable for the environment, as they grow well in West African climates without the need for extensive chemical inputs.
She said some hotels and restaurants in the Northern region are gradually introducing traditional foods, like fonio dishes, bitter leaf, okra and ayoyo which are packed with antioxidants and fibre.
She further said, “those dishes are not just cultural icons; they are also some of the healthiest meals we can eat.”
From Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
News
Involve men in breast cancer conversations …Breast cancer advocate
Raisa
A Journalist and breast cancer advocate, Ms Raissa Sambou, has called for the inclusion of men in breast cancer conversations.
She said men play a crucial role in breast cancer conversations, not only because they can be affected by the disease themselves but also because they can help their partners detect early signs.
The inclusion of men in the conversation has dominated discussion on the disease during an ongoing door-to-door campaign to raise awareness on breast cancer in rural communities, focusing on both men and women who often lack access to healthcare information and treatment.
Ms Sambou, a breast cancer survivor, told The Spectator that her campaign aims to educate people in an underserved areas on early detection and prevention.
According to Ms Sambou, by encouraging and reminding women to perform regular self-breast examinations, men can support early detection, which is key to successful treatment.
“Unfortunately, there have been instances where men have distanced themselves from their wives or engaged in infidelity following breast cancer treatments, particularly when it involves the loss of a breast.
“Through education, these situations can be minimised, as men learn to be more empathetic and supportive, understanding the physical and emotional toll the disease takes on their partners,” she explained.
Educating men on these issues fosters stronger familial bonds and helps reduce stigma and misconceptions surrounding breast cancer.
“Men should not be excluded from breast cancer conversations because they can also be affected by the disease,” she said.
Additionally, she noted that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the entire family is impacted, hence the need for men to be educated on how they can provide emotional and practical support during such difficult times.
Through her initiative, dubbed ‘The Raissa Child Protection Initiative,’ the award winning journalist advocates for the wellbeing of children by empowering their parents to take better care of them.
“If parents are not healthy, they cannot care for their children,” she noted, stressing the importance of health in child protection efforts.
She revealed that the campaign, which began in Tomefa, a fishing community in the Ga South Municipality, also seeks to dispel the misconceptions surrounding breast cancer in rural areas, where fear and stigma often prevent early treatment.
Ms Sambou states that the initiative was to expand to parts of the Eastern and Central regions, with the goal of improving awareness and saving lives in areas where access to healthcare is limited.
She also underscored the importance of adopting a preventive approach to managing chronic health issues, especially given the limited resources at many healthcare facilities in Ghana.
She also expressed concern that rural residents often have to travel long distances across regions to access basic medical services like mammograms and CT scans.
This, Ms Sambou noted, contributes to the high number of undiagnosed cancers and late-stage diagnoses, which severely impact treatment outcomes.
She further lamented that even in cases of early detection, the lack of adequate cancer treatment equipment in the country often hampers patient survival.
At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the nation’s largest referral centre, she explained that only two radiotherapy machines serve hundreds of patients, forcing many to wait for months before receiving treatment.
“My campaign is not only focused on awareness but also on advocacy for improved healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural communities, to ensure that early detection leads to timely and effective treatment,” she added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
Women urged to pursue dreams with determination at ‘She Triumph Conference 2024’
Ms Ibrahim.
Young women have been urged to pursue their dreams with determination and self-awareness at the second edition of ‘She Triumph Conference 2024’.
The conference which was held in Accra last Saturday on the theme: “Resilience and determination of womanhood,” featured keynote speakers from various fields, including business, arts and science.
Participants at the conference.
The speakers urged the over 650 young women present at the conference to showcase their unique talents while advocating for women’s empowerment.
The Marketing Manager of Electroland Ghana Limited, Hajia Adiza Ibrahim, urged young women not to feel pressured by societal expectations but instead focus on self-discovery.
“Identify who you are and what you possess; it’s not a competition, but you want to be recognised for your individuality,” she said.
Drawing from her personal journey, she highlighted the importance of building a personal brand grounded in authenticity and hard work, saying, “I have built my reputation with truth and passion.”
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Kuburah Diamonds Foundation acknowledged the challenges women face in today’s fast-paced, competitive world, urging attendees to cultivate their own identities and strive for excellence.
Ms Ibrahim, popularly known as ‘Kuburah Diamond’, stressed the need to prove oneself in various spheres, whether in academia or professional environments, urging them to exceed expectations when given the opportunity.
According to the founder of ‘She Triumph Conference’, Mrs Deborah Borketey-Tackie, the event was to train young women to gain skills to enable them become entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities for the youth.
These skills, she said included photography, beading, wig making, makeup artistry, balloon decoration and baking among others.
She indicated that 18 students who were trained in these skills had graduated and awarded at the conference.
Mrs Borketey-Tackie said the first and second runner-ups received GH¢10,000 and GH¢5,000 respectively from Omanye Royals Kingdom based in Canada.
By Cecilia Lagba Yada
