Health officials and industry stakeholders in Ghana have begun drafting a plan to ban partially hydrogenated oils, a major source of industrially produced trans fats linked to heart disease. The move follows a national forum in Accra, where participants agreed to task the National TFA Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group with creating a concept document to guide a formal ban on these oils. This initiative aims to curb the rising rates of heart disease in Ghana.
The forum, organized by the Institute of Leadership and Development under the Ministry of Health, brought together various stakeholders to discuss the implementation of Ghana's National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy. The strategy, launched in October 2024, aligns with the World Health Organisation's REPLACE Action Framework, a global initiative to replace industrially produced trans fats with healthier oils. The goal is to protect heart health and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases.
According to Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, coordinated action, clear responsibilities, adequate financing, and effective monitoring are crucial for the successful implementation of the ban. He emphasized the need for a national baseline assessment to identify gaps in the current system. The Ministry of Health will continue to coordinate with relevant institutions and partners to support the implementation of the strategy.
The proposed ban on partially hydrogenated oils is part of a broader effort to reduce the risk of heart disease in Ghana. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, and hypertension, account for 43 percent of deaths in Ghana, according to the World Health Organisation. Unhealthy diets high in trans fats have been identified as a major driver of these diseases.
The National TFA Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group has been directed to engage the Ghana Standards Authority to establish a limit of 2 grams of trans fat per 100 grams of fat in food standards covering all oil and oil-based products. This move aims to ensure that manufacturers reformulate their products to meet the new standards. Public education campaigns will also be launched to raise awareness of the dangers of partially hydrogenated oils.
The ban on partially hydrogenated oils will likely impact ordinary Ghanaian households, as it will require changes to the cooking oils and processed foods sold in markets and shops. Manufacturers may need to reformulate their products to meet the new 2-gram limit. The implementation of the ban is expected to have a positive impact on public health, reducing the risk of heart disease and other non-communicable diseases.
While no deadline has been specified for the completion of the concept document or the implementation of the ban, the Ministry of Health is committed to coordinating with relevant institutions and partners to support the rollout of the strategy. The successful implementation of the ban will depend on effective monitoring, adequate financing, and coordinated action among stakeholders.
Key points
- Ghana aims to ban partially hydrogenated oils to reduce heart disease risk
- The ban is part of a broader effort to implement the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy
- The strategy aligns with the World Health Organisation's REPLACE Action Framework
