Health experts in Ghana are sounding the alarm on the rise of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among young people, attributing this worrying trend to changes in their lifestyles.
The Vice President of the Ghana Medical Association, Prof. Ernest Yorke, pointed out that factors such as increased consumption of junk food, higher intake of alcohol, and a decline in physical activity are major contributors to the increasing cases of NCDs among the youth. In an interview, Prof. Yorke highlighted the risk factors associated with these conditions, emphasizing the impact of lifestyle choices on one’s health.
One significant shift that has been observed is the decrease in physical activities, such as walking or biking short distances, with many opting for vehicle transportation instead. Moreover, there has been a noticeable change in the diet of Ghanaians, with a preference for carbohydrate-rich foods like banku and rice, which could be linked to the surge in NCDs.
In response to this growing concern, the National Coordinator of the Ghana NCD Alliance, Labram Musah, underscored the importance of implementing policies to address this issue. One suggested method is to review the country’s tax structure and impose higher taxes on unhealthy commodities. By making these products more expensive, it is believed that people may be dissuaded from consuming them, leading to healthier lifestyle choices among the population.
The call to action now lies with policymakers and decision-makers to take proactive steps in addressing the rise of NCDs among young people in Ghana.
