With Non-Communicable Ailments (NCDs) now answerable for practically half of all deaths in Ghana, efforts to forestall and cut back the rising well being and financial burden have by no means been extra pressing. From unhealthy meals environments and aggressive advertising to restricted entry to infrastructure for bodily exercise, the drivers of poor well being outcomes are sometimes systemic — requiring robust legal guidelines, strategic fiscal insurance policies, and sustained cross-sectoral collaboration.
Towards this backdrop, the Ministry of Well being with assist from WHO, convened a stakeholder engagement bringing over 50 stakeholders from authorities ministries, regulatory businesses, academia, civil society, and UN companions to provoke assist for authorized and monetary reforms that promote wholesome diets and bodily exercise — two key pillars within the prevention and management of NCDs. This multisectoral engagement varieties a part of the nation’s programme of labor on the Section II of the World Regulatory and Fiscal Capability Constructing Programme (World RECAP).
RECAP is a joint initiative of WHO and the Worldwide Improvement Legislation Group (IDLO), supported by the Swiss Company for Improvement and Cooperation (SDC) and the European Union, in collaboration with the Worldwide Improvement Analysis Centre (IDRC). This programme goals to construct the authorized, regulatory, and monetary capability of governments, regulators, and civil society actors to develop and implement authorized and monetary measures that cut back noncommunicable ailments (NCDs) by creating more healthy environments.
Dr Hafiz Adam Tahir Adam, the Appearing Chief Director of the Ministry of Well being, in his opening remarks expressed appreciation to WHO and companions for his or her continued assist.
“Addressing these elements requires a collaborative effort from all sectors, reaffirming the Ministry’s dedication to work intently with companions to deal with unhealthy diets and inadequate bodily exercise”, he stated.
Ghana’s precedence areas on the Section II of RECAP contains legislative assist for bodily exercise, rules of unhealthy meals advertising, front-of-pack diet labelling, and monetary measures together with sugar sweetened beverage taxation and efficient collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Presenting the worldwide RECAP framework, WHO’s Authorized Officer, Kate Robertson highlighted the uneven progress made globally and emphasised the position of capability constructing, proof era, and neighborhood mobilization.
“Authorized and monetary instruments are highly effective levers for shaping more healthy environments. By RECAP, we’re working with nations like Ghana to strengthen their capability to design and implement insurance policies that may drive actual change—defending populations and decreasing the burden of NCDs.”
WHO information reveals that 9.9% of Ghanaians — and practically 15% of ladies — don’t meet the really helpful bodily exercise ranges. The info additionally highlights air air pollution as an more and more essential contributor to the nation’s NCD profile. This underscores the urgency of motion to create an enabling setting for more healthy weight loss plan and the promotion of bodily exercise.
Mr William Agbavitor, Head of Authorized on the Meals and Medication Authority, walked members by means of the authorized and regulatory frameworks at present in place, together with the Public Well being Act (2012) and new draft insurance policies similar to a nationwide front-of-pack labelling coverage and restrictions on unhealthy meals advertising.
The assembly concluded with the formation of a nationwide multisectoral RECAP Steering Committee to information the event and implementation of a country-led workplan. This committee will assist drive evidence-informed coverage reform—notably in areas similar to meals security, the place stakeholders referred to as for stronger collaboration, clearer procurement tips, and safeguards in opposition to trade interference to assist more healthy institutional meals environments.
For Further Info or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Nation Workplace
E-mail: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393