November 7, 2025
The Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) together with SEND Ghana collaborated with the School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS) and Fred N. Binka School of Public Health (FNBSPH) of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) to champion the adoption of Front-of-Package Warning Labelling (FOPWL) policies in Ghana to help promote healthier food choices and improved public health outcomes. A symposium to this effect was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Kofi Anyidoho Auditorium, UHAS.
FOPWL is a label on a food package which indicates that a product has high levels of certain nutrients. FOPWL highlights nutrients like added sugar, saturated fat and sodium that are linked to obesity and other health issues. These labels help consumers to make healthier choices.
The Dean of SAHS, Professor Samuel Essien-Baidoo who gave the welcome address at the symposium said the gathering of both academia, industry players and duty bearers offered an opportunity to share knowledge aimed at pushing the agenda of achieving healthier food choices and improved public health outcomes. Prof. Essien-Baidoo noted that the symposium had become necessary due to the high rate of Non - Communicable Diseases (NCDs), especially hypertension and diabetes, which he said are avoidable.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Lydia Aziato in her speech as a Special Guest drew attention to the fact that the saying “We are what we eat” cannot be overemphasized. She therefore cautioned the public to beware of their choices regarding packed food as some brands are continually abusing the loyalty of consumers by being dishonest with the contents of their products. She called on policy makers to ensure that labelling information on packaged food especially are void of ambiguity and are sufficiently legible.
A representative from SEND Ghana, Ms. Baaba Sam, who made a presentation on the FOPWL policy, said their advocacy is to ensure that they contribute to a healthy Ghana through the development of mandatory food warning labels.
She indicated that Ghanaians are consuming worrying amount of certain packaged foods, especially energy drinks, which contain very high levels of nutrients that can harm the body when taken in excess. Ms. Sam stated that many consumers would stay away from certain packed foods if they are sufficiently made aware of their nutritional contents. She therefore reiterated the call on duty bearers to ensure that a stringent FOPWL policy was adopted by September 2025.
In his closing remarks, the Head of Department for Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr. Fidelis Kpodo emphasized the close connection between dietary choices and public health outcomes. Adding his voice to the call for a new policy direction on the issue, he, among other things, stated that the new policy direction must sufficiently cater for the visually impaired persons, a vital group that is often not considered in packaging designs.
Dr. Kpodo ended his speech by saying “Everyone has a role to play in this fight," and challenged all participants to carry the mission beyond the walls of the symposium.