A Public Health Nutrition Officer at the Sunyani Municipal Directorate of Health, Patience Opoku, has sounded the alarm over a worrying increase in diabetes cases among children, including some below the age of eight who are already on medication.
Mrs. Opoku attributed the trend directly to the excessive consumption of canned foods, spicy snacks, and foreign processed items, describing the situation as “alarming” and calling for urgent action from families.
She made the remarks during a child sensitisation forum organised by the St Anselm’s Anglican Child and Youth Development Centre (CYDC) in Sunyani to mark Ghana Month (Heritage Month). The event aimed to promote Ghanaian cultural identity while encouraging healthier lifestyles among young people.
Call for Return to Traditional Diets
Mrs. Opoku urged parents and guardians to take greater control of children’s diets by prioritising locally prepared, traditional meals. She emphasised that such choices could significantly lower the risk of lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in minors.
Key recommendations from the nutrition officer include:
- Limit intake of red meat, fatty foods, spicy snacks, and fried eggs
- Encourage more vegetables (onions, ginger, green leafy vegetables)
- Opt for boiled eggs over fried ones
- Promote home-cooked staples such as Etor, banku, fufu with soup, aprapransa, ampesi, and local beverages
Participants at the forum — schoolchildren aged 9–14 — were educated on preparing these indigenous dishes and learned about their superior nutritional value compared to imported or processed alternatives.
Ghana Month Activities Highlight Culture and Health
Observed every March, Ghana Month provides an opportunity for reflection on national history and the promotion of cultural pride. During the event, children showcased traditional attire and performed cultural displays, blending heritage education with practical health lessons.
The Director of St Anselm’s Anglican CYDC, Duodu Bimpong, explained that the centre — which currently supports 260 children — organises the annual programme to instil values of culture, health, and responsible living in young people.
In a related address, the Bono Regional Director of Children, George Yaw Ankamah, cautioned families against engaging children in exploitative labour that interferes with their education.
He specifically highlighted practices such as selling sachet water during school hours, stating that such activities violate the Children’s Act and other child rights protocols.
Mr. Ankamah stressed that parents must prioritise their children’s education, safety, and overall welfare, urging communities to report any cases of child exploitation.
The sensitisation forum reflects growing national concern over the dual challenges of rising non-communicable diseases in young people and the protection of children’s rights amid cultural preservation efforts.
Health experts continue to advocate for stronger public education on nutrition, while child protection agencies call for stricter enforcement of laws safeguarding minors.
Source: Statements from Patience Opoku (Sunyani Municipal Health Directorate), George Yaw Ankamah (Bono Regional Director of Children), and Duodu Bimpong (St Anselm’s Anglican CYDC), reported during Ghana Month event in Sunyani (March 2026)
