65% of Adult Ghanaians Can’t Afford Healthy Diets: Key Insights from Nutrition Expert Prof. Anna Lartey

In Ghana, where economic pressures meet rising health concerns, a startling statistic reveals that 65% of adult Ghanaians can’t afford healthy diets on a daily basis. This challenge, highlighted by Prof. Anna Lartey, Professor of Nutrition at the University of Ghana, underscores the urgent need for food systems transformation in Ghana to promote accessible nutrition and reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Introduction

The nutrition crisis in Ghana is more pressing than ever: 65% of adult Ghanaians cannot afford wholesome diets, making healthy eating a luxury rather than a norm. Shared during a key sensitization workshop in Accra titled “Beyond the Dialogues: Tracking Ghana’s Commitments to Transform its Food Systems,” this data from Prof. Anna Lartey spotlights how food affordability directly impacts public health. Organized by the University of Ghana School of Public Health with support from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), the event focused on monitoring Ghana’s 2021 pledges to overhaul its food systems.

This article explores the healthy diets Ghana challenges, recommended plate compositions for balanced nutrition, the dominance of affordable junk food, and actionable steps toward better food environments. By understanding these issues, readers gain pedagogical insights into nutrition science, food affordability, and systemic reforms essential for sustainable health in Ghana.

Analysis

Delving into why 65% of adult Ghanaians can’t afford healthy diets, the core issue lies in the economic disparity between nutritious and processed foods. Prof. Lartey explained that wholesome diets—comprising half a plate of fruits and vegetables, one-quarter carbohydrates, and one-quarter proteins—are significantly pricier than junk alternatives like sugar-laced beverages and fast foods.

Understanding a Nutritious Diet Composition

A balanced plate model, endorsed by global nutrition guidelines such as those from the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizes variety for optimal health. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber essential for immunity and digestion. Carbohydrates from whole grains offer sustained energy, while proteins from lean sources like beans, fish, or eggs support muscle repair and satiety. In Ghana, market prices often make this model unattainable for many adults, pushing reliance on cheaper, calorie-dense options.

The Role of Food Environments in Ghana

Prof. Lartey, as Project Co-Principal Investigator, highlighted how today’s food systems Ghana environment favors unhealthy choices. Junk foods are ubiquitous at street corners, readily available and inexpensive, contrasting with fresh produce that fluctuates in cost due to seasonal and supply factors. This environment perpetuates poor eating habits, contributing to NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease—leading causes of mortality in Ghana.

Global and National Commitments

The workshop aligns with broader efforts post-2021 UN Food Systems Summit, where over 160 UN Member States pledged transformations by 2030 for sustainable, healthy diets. Ghana committed to 17 specific targets by 2025, including boosting early breastfeeding initiation from 52% (2017) to 80% and exclusive breastfeeding for six months from 42.9% to 62%. Prof. Amos Laar, the Principal Investigator from the University of Ghana School of Public Health, emphasized using science-based indicators to track progress, promote safe food systems, and ensure accountability beyond dialogues.

Summary

In summary, 65% of Ghanaian adults face barriers to daily nutritious diets due to high costs of healthy foods compared to pervasive junk options. Expert insights from Prof. Anna Lartey at the Accra workshop reveal links to NCDs and call for personal and systemic changes in Ghana’s food systems. Key commitments from 2021 aim to track and implement reforms for healthier, affordable nutrition nationwide.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To overcome Ghanaians can’t afford healthy diets barriers, adopt budget-friendly strategies rooted in nutrition science. Start by prioritizing seasonal, local produce like tomatoes, okra, or mangoes, which are cheaper at peak times. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Budget Meal Planning

Plan weekly meals around affordable staples: Use beans or groundnuts for protein (high in protein at low cost), brown rice or cassava for carbs, and home-grown greens. A sample plate: Half with cabbage and carrots, quarter with boiled yam, quarter with egg stew—totaling under GH₵10 per serving in many markets.

Shopping and Preparation Tips

Buy in bulk from farmers’ markets to cut costs by 20-30%. Cook in batches to reduce energy use and waste. Incorporate fermented foods like kenkey or banku with fish for gut health and affordability. Prof. Lartey urges personal responsibility: Track spending to allocate more for nutrition, aiming for the WHO-recommended 400g daily fruits/vegetables.

Community and Policy Engagement

Join local cooperatives for shared produce access. Advocate for school feeding programs emphasizing nutrition, aligning with Ghana’s commitments.

Points of Caution

Unhealthy eating from junk foods poses severe risks. These items, laden with sugars and trans fats, are primary NCD drivers in Ghana, where obesity and diabetes rates rise. Prof. Lartey warns of dire consequences: preventable illnesses strain healthcare. Globally, 15 million deaths could be averted with healthier diets, per WHO data. Caution against convenience: Street foods may seem handy but lack nutrients, leading to micronutrient deficiencies like anemia. Monitor portions to avoid over-reliance on carbs, and consult healthcare for personalized advice, especially for at-risk groups like pregnant women.

Comparison

Comparing healthy versus junk foods in Ghana reveals stark affordability gaps. Fresh fruits like oranges cost GH₵5-10 per kg, while a sugary soda is GH₵2-3. Vegetables such as spinach average GH₵4 per bunch versus fast food meals at GH₵5-8. Internationally, similar patterns emerge in low-income countries: In sub-Saharan Africa, healthy diets cost 20-50% more than energy-adequate ones, per FAO reports. Ghana’s urban food environments mirror this, with junk dominating like in Nigeria or Kenya, but rural areas offer cheaper traditional options like millet porridge with greens.

Healthy vs. Junk: Nutritional Breakdown

Legal Implications

While no direct legal penalties apply to individual food choices, Ghana’s commitments carry policy weight. The 2021 UN Food Systems Summit pledges, integrated into national plans via NDPC and MoFA, form part of enforceable development frameworks like the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework. Non-compliance could affect funding and international reporting. Food safety laws under the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) regulate junk food labeling, mandating warnings on high-sugar items since 2020, promoting informed choices without criminalizing affordability issues.

Conclusion

The revelation that 65% of adult Ghanaians can’t afford healthy diets demands urgent action on multiple fronts. From Prof. Anna Lartey’s call for personal dietary shifts to systemic tracking of food systems transformation in Ghana, solutions blend individual agency with policy enforcement. By fostering affordable access to nutritious foods, Ghana can curb NCDs, honor its 17 commitments by 2025, and build resilient health. Start today: Choose whole foods, support local agriculture, and track national progress for a healthier future.

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