Tamale: A zonal stakeholders meeting has been held in Tamale to deepen participants' understanding of the draft Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling (FOPWL) policy and gather feedback to shape its final design and implementation. The meeting, organised by SEND Ghana in collaboration with the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND), aimed to foster inclusive dialogue, build consensus, and ensure that the final policy would align with public expectations.
According to Ghana News Agency, the meeting targeted stakeholders in the northern sector of the country and was attended by students, teachers, traditional authorities, and representatives from NGOs. Mr. Joseph Danquah, General Secretary of GAND, emphasized the necessity of the policy due to the rise in non-communicable diseases linked to overconsumption of unhealthy nutrients found in processed foods. The government, in partnership with stakeholders, is developing the policy to provide consumers with clear nutrition information to support healthier dietary decisions.
Mr. Danquah expressed concerns about the consumption of processed foods by schoolchildren, highlighting the potential future health burdens. He noted the purpose of the meeting was to sensitize stakeholders to advocate for the policy's implementation, making the public aware of their food choices. Professor Kingsley Kwadwo Asare Pereko, from the University of Cape Coast, reiterated that the policy would empower consumers to make informed food choices by providing warnings about high concentrations of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
Steffi Nana Aba Bordoh, a participating teacher, praised the policy, anticipating a reduction in non-communicable diseases as consumers would opt for healthier choices. Other participants echoed this sentiment, stating the policy's importance in protecting public health. Madam Helene Garti, North Zone Lead, GAND, thanked participants for their contributions, emphasizing that their insights would ensure the policy's relevance to real-life experiences.
