Ghana NCD Alliance Makes Healthy Choices This Christmas Season

Ghana Non Communicable Diseases Alliance (GhNCDA), a health non- governmental organization humbly has  advised the general public on the need to be mindful of what they consume especially in this festive season. 

According to the organization, the 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Mental Health are largely associated with what we consume. Most of which will be consumed excessively without recourse to the consequences aftermath. 

In a statement copied to soireenews. com signed by National Coordinator: Ghana NCD Alliance Mr Labram Musah, the organization asserted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized the modifiable risk factors to include alcohol, tobacco (shisha), unhealthy diet (processed foods, excessive salt and sugar, trans fatty foods, etc.), physical inactivity and air pollution. 

The statement pointed out that the  alcohol and sugar sweetened beverage industries exploits festivals, celebrations every year to normalize the use of their products, increase sales, and maximize their profits. 

"We are saddened by efforts of the alcohol industry to continue to prey on children and vulnerable people by exposing them to their relentless marketing during special events and this Christmas will not be an exception. 

"Children will be exposed to alcohol as they attend events with parents. We hope that parents will acknowledge the effects of exposing children to alcohol in this festive and other festive season," the statement said.

It pointed out that a recent report by the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) in the United Kingdom (UK) titled “No escape: How alcohol marketing preys on children and vulnerable people” found: The marketing of alcohol at special events made it difficult for people with an alcohol use disorder or in recovery to fully participate in everyday life.

It asserted the state of junk foods dominating our markets lately should be a concern to all Ghanaians, studies show that the NCDs disease burden are on the rise, hospitals are recording more cancers, hypertension, heart diseases, kidney diseases, stroke, diabetes, mental health diseases etc. and this is mostly targeted at children, the youth and the poor. 

According to the statement  many Ghanaians are eating more of fast foods and rejecting our locally prepared homemade food which are healthier. Can we for once have a purely local/homemade meals, fruits and vegetable occasion devoid of all the foods and drinks that increases our risk of NCDs?.

 Eating delicious food is an important part of the holiday season for most of us. However, what likely doesn’t come as a surprise is that many holiday foods are not the healthiest for you.

It indicated that Ghana NCD Alliance need everyone not just alive but also in good health as we usher ourselves into the year 2022; so to help avoid post-holidays regret, it is imperative that we are mindful of what we eat and drink. 

It stated that the Christmas is just a season and it will pass but any challenge with your health could be a life-long battle to wrestle with hence the need to celebrate in moderation while thinking about tomorrow.

"The Ghana NCD Alliance humbly wishes to use this medium to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year alive to serve our nation in good health," the statement stressed