Protect Your Well-being This Festive Season – Health Coalitions Enchantment to the Public

As the 2025 festive season reaches its peak, a joint coalition of health advocacy groups has issued a critical appeal to the public. The message is clear: the joy of the holidays should not become a precursor to a lifetime of illness. This comprehensive guide explores their recommendations for a safe, healthy, and sustainable celebration.

Introduction

The festive season in Ghana is a time of immense joy, community gathering, and culinary indulgence. However, beneath the surface of celebration lies a growing public health concern. In a joint statement released on December 23, 2025, the NCD Alliance Ghana (GhNCDA) and Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana) sounded the alarm on the rising threats of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), road accidents, and substance abuse during the holidays. This article breaks down their urgent appeal, providing actionable advice to ensure your festive season is memorable for the right reasons. We will explore the “Ultra-Processed” threat, the crisis on our roads, the illegal rise of nicotine products, and the importance of mental well-being.

Key Points

Background

To understand the gravity of this year’s health alert, we must look at the broader context of public health in Ghana. As the country enters the height of the 2025 festive season, the intersection of cultural celebration and modern health risks has become a critical battleground.

The State of Public Health in Ghana

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers are no longer just issues for the elderly; they are affecting younger populations at an alarming rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. In Ghana, the coalition highlights that NCDs are responsible for nearly half of all deaths, a statistic that underscores the urgency of their message. The festive season, characterized by high-calorie consumption and reduced physical activity, acts as a catalyst for these underlying conditions.

Transforming Food Environments

December in Ghana has seen a “fast transformation” in the food landscape. Traditional home-cooked meals are increasingly being replaced by convenience foods. This shift is not merely a matter of preference but of availability and aggressive marketing. The coalition points out that markets and social gatherings are currently flooded with ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Research indicates that UPFs now constitute over 30% of retail items in urban centers across the nation. This data point is critical: it shows that the environment itself is becoming hostile to healthy living, making the coalition’s advice more necessary than ever.

Analysis

The health coalition’s appeal touches on four distinct but interconnected pillars of well-being: nutrition, physical safety, substance use, and mental health. Analyzing these areas reveals the specific dangers facing the public during the 2025 holidays.

The Nutritional Trap: Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

The term “Ultra-Processed” is not just a buzzword; it refers to industrial formulations made from ingredients extracted from foods (oils, fats, sugar, starch, and protein isolates) that contain little or no whole foods. During the festive season, these foods are everywhere—sugary beverages, packaged snacks, and processed meats. The coalition warns that diets high in these products increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes by over 20%. This is a verifiable risk factor recognized by major health bodies worldwide. The advice to “prioritize home-cooked meals with fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains” is a direct counter-attack against this rising tide of processed food consumption.

Road Safety: A Grim Milestone

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death among people aged 5–29 years. The statistics provided by the coalition are harrowing: as of November 2025, Ghana’s roads had already claimed over 2,000 lives. The festive season typically sees a spike in this data due to increased travel and alcohol consumption. The coalition explicitly criticizes the National Road Safety Authority for what they term a “giant failure” in curbing these losses. The analysis here is that enforcement of drink-driving laws has been insufficient. The warning is clear: “Turning a blind eye has cost and will continue to cost lives.”

The Deception of Vaping and Shisha

A significant focus of the 2025 appeal is the illegal rise of nicotine products like shisha and vapes. The coalition clarifies a legal reality that many consumers ignore: under the Public Health Act (Act 851), all shisha and vape products sold in Ghana are illegal because they are not registered with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

There is a dangerous misconception, particularly among the youth, that these products are “safer” than traditional cigarettes. The coalition dismantles this myth, stating, “Tobacco kills more than half of its users… [Vapes] are designed to hook you forever.” This highlights the predatory nature of the tobacco industry and the health risks of nicotine addiction, regardless of the delivery method.

Mental Health: The Silent Holiday Stressor

While physical health is often the focus of holiday warnings, the coalition’s inclusion of mental health is a vital, compassionate addition. The “holiday blues” are real. The pressure to spend money, the grief of missing loved ones, and the stress of social obligations can lead to high blood pressure and tension headaches. The WHO identifies stress and anxiety as contributing factors to NCDs. By advocating for “Presence Over Presents” and urging the public to “set realistic budgets” and “maintain healthy boundaries,” the coalition addresses the holistic nature of well-being.

Practical Advice

Based on the coalition’s statement, here is a practical guide to navigating the festive season safely. This is essentially the “Sustainable Celebration” checklist derived from the experts’ recommendations.

Nutrition and Diet

• Hydrate Correctly: Swap sugary beverages for water. Liquid sugar is a primary driver of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Home-Cooked Priority: When possible, prepare meals at home where you control the ingredients. Focus on legumes, whole grains, and leafy vegetables.
• Avoid Late-Night Feasting: Eating heavy meals late at night disrupts metabolism and sleep, contributing to weight gain and heart strain.

Physical Activity

You do not need a gym membership to stay active. The coalition suggests “intentional dancing or walking daily.” Aim for at least 30 minutes a day. This is enough to help regulate blood sugar levels and combat the lethargy associated with high-carbohydrate holiday meals.

Road Safety Protocol

• Designated Driver System: If you are attending a gathering where alcohol is served, designate a sober driver beforehand.
• Speak Up: Do not hesitate to refuse a ride from a driver who appears impaired. The coalition advises reporting such drivers to the police immediately.
• Protective Gear: Ensure all passengers in a vehicle are wearing helmets (for bikes) or seatbelts (for cars).

Creating a Smoke-Free Environment

Given the illegality of shisha and vapes, the coalition urges the public to keep homes and cars 100% free from tobacco and smoke products. Secondhand smoke is equally dangerous, containing over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and can cause cancer. Protecting children and non-smoking family members is a priority.

Managing Mental Health

Protecting your well-being includes your mental state:

1. Set Boundaries: It is okay to decline invitations if you feel overwhelmed.
2. Budget Realistically: Financial stress is a major trigger during the holidays. Spend what you can afford, not what social media suggests you should.
3. Value Presence: Remind yourself that being physically and mentally present with loved ones is more valuable than expensive gifts.

FAQ

Conclusion

The 2025 festive appeal from the NCD Alliance Ghana and VAST-Ghana is a sobering reminder that health is the foundation of happiness. While the holidays are a time for celebration, they should not be a season of excess that compromises long-term well-being. By understanding the risks of ultra-processed foods, the dangers of impaired driving, the illegality of vaping and shisha, and the importance of mental health, the public can navigate the season safely. As National Coordinator Labram Musa eloquently stated, “The true measure of festive success is families returning whole, healthy, and alive in the new year.” Let that be the guiding principle for every celebration.