The Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) has raised concerns over growing food safety threats in Ghana, warning that illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, and the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods are putting public health at risk.
The concerns were contained in a statement issued by GAND to launch the 2026 National Nutrition Month (NNM).
This year’s campaign, which runs throughout July, is being held under the theme: “Food Safety: Everyone’s Responsibility” and seeks to draw attention to the role of individuals, communities, food producers, regulators and policymakers in protecting Ghana’s food supply.
According to GAND, the country is facing a number of interconnected food safety challenges, including contamination of agricultural resources, rising foodborne illnesses and the spread of unhealthy processed foods.
The Academy, which is marking its seventh anniversary, said the campaign will involve public education, media engagements and community outreach activities aimed at promoting safer food practices across the country.
“Every Ghanaian deserves to eat food that is safe. This July, GAND is taking that message everywhere: to our markets, our schools, our workplaces, our churches and our homes. Food safety is not someone else’s job. It belongs to all of us,” the statement quoted the President of GAND as saying.
Foodborne illnesses remain a concern
GAND said foodborne diseases continue to pose a major public health challenge globally and in Ghana. The Academy cited World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 600 million people worldwide fall ill each year after consuming contaminated food, resulting in approximately 420,000 deaths.
It noted that children under five remain the most affected, accounting for about 125,000 deaths annually linked to unsafe food.
The statement further indicated that Africa carries the highest per capita burden of foodborne diseases globally, with millions of cases recorded annually.
In Ghana, GAND said diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery and viral hepatitis continue to place pressure on the healthcare system, while diarrhoeal diseases linked to unsafe food and water remain a major concern.
Galamsey contamination threatens food chain
The Academy identified environmental pollution caused by illegal mining as one of the most serious emerging food safety threats facing the country.
According to the statement, galamsey activities have contaminated rivers, streams and groundwater with dangerous heavy metals, including mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium.
GAND explained that many communities depend on these water sources for farming and fishing, meaning contaminants can enter the food chain through vegetables, crops, fish and drinking water.
The Academy said heavy metals accumulate in soil and crops and cannot be removed through ordinary washing, cooking or food processing methods.
It cited studies conducted on mining-affected water bodies, including the Pra, Offin, Ankobra and Birim rivers, which reportedly recorded heavy metal levels above acceptable limits.
GAND warned that long-term exposure to such contaminants could result in serious health consequences, including neurological damage, kidney problems, reproductive complications and increased cancer risks, particularly among children and pregnant women.
Call for food warning labels
Beyond environmental contamination, GAND expressed concern over the increasing availability and consumption of ultra-processed foods in Ghana.
The Academy said many of these products contain high levels of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, while some carry incomplete or unclear nutritional information.
It therefore called for the introduction of mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) to help consumers easily identify foods that may pose health risks.
GAND argued that food safety must go beyond preventing contamination to include ensuring that citizens have access to nutritious foods and accurate information about what they consume.
The statement linked the growing consumption of unhealthy diets to the rise of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
It cited Ghana Health Service data indicating that non-communicable diseases now account for more than 43 per cent of deaths in Ghana and are among the leading causes of adult hospital admissions.
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