On the 23rd of October 2024 at the Ministry of Health’s auditorium, the Chief Director, Alhaji Hafiz Adam representing the Honourable Minister of Health launched the National Strategy on the elimination of TFAs from Ghana food supply. In attendance were some members of Multi Sectorial Technical Working Group (MS-TWG), some directors from the Ministry of Health, representatives from other Ministries, Department and Agencies, (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations and the media.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of INSLA, Mr Benjamin Anabila expressed immense appreciation to its partners, Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) for their technical and financial support. He continued to acknowledge the Multi Sectorial Technical Working Group (MSTWG) consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Health Service, National Health Insurance Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, School of Public Health University of Health and Allied Sciences, School Health Education Programmes GES, University of Ghana School Public Health, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- Food Research Institute, World Health Organization, Ghana Revenue Authority-Customs Division, Consumer Protection Agency, Healthy Diets Alliance Ghana (HeDAG) and ShopRite (Industry) for their enormous support in the development process of the National Strategy.
He also mentioned that INSLA considers the launch of this National strategy a very important milestone on the prevention and control of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana. This launch also delivers one of the commitment of the Government of Ghana at the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. Globally, more than 278 000 deaths through heart diseases and strokes each year can be attributed to intake of industrially produced trans fats. (WHO 2024), and TFA could contribute to 12,000 to 16,000 stroke cases recorded each year in Ghana (MOH 2021).
In the Chief Director’s presentation, he expressed profound appreciation to INSLA and Resolve to Save Lives for their support in terms of finances and technical expertise in making the strategy a success. He continued to thank the members of the Multi Sectorial Technical Working Group for their commitment and hard work in developing a situational analysis on TFA elimination in Ghana which informed the development of a National Strategy on the Elimination of TFA’s in Ghana’s food supply. He continued to mention that this strategy has come in the right time since Non Communicable Diseases continues to be on the rise. He mentioned that there are about 60 countries with best practices on TFA elimination with 3 being African countries. He stated that the National Strategy seeks to protect heart health by reducing or eliminating TFAs from
Ghana’s food supply. He mentioned the three (3) objectives of the strategy as; Reduce the impacts of TFAs on public health, ensure favorable financing for TFA activities across the country, strengthening, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In his statement he highlighted that he expects all stakeholders to support the implementation of the National Strategy as enshrined under the expective implementation arrangement.
He also urged that all hands to be on deck for this strategy to be implemented, because if solidarity is key the people of Ghana will benefit greatly from this Strategy. At exactly 11:14 am on 23rd October 2024, Alhaji Hafiz Adam representing the Minister of Health, Honourable
Minister Dr. Okoe Boye declared the National Strategy on Elimination of TFA from Ghana’s food supply duly launched.