The National TFA Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group has been urged to develop a document to help implement a ban on partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in Ghana. This call was made at the first National High-Level Forum on the implementation of the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy (2025-2030) organised by the Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA) in Accra. The forum aimed to accelerate the implementation of Ghana's National TFA Strategy to protect heart health.
Stakeholders at the forum recommended that the Group contact the Ghana Standard Authority to incorporate the limit of 2gms per 100g fats in all foods and the ban of PHOs in various food standards that have oil or oil products. They also suggested the development of communication materials for awareness creation and education on the harm of consuming PHOs, the ban, and behavioural change in schools, communities, and marketplaces across the country.
Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, urged stakeholders to build consensus on the practical and effective implementation of the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy (TFA) (2025-2030). He emphasized that manufacturers, retailers, regulators, researchers, civil society, and development partners should agree on a clear implementation timeline and measures to close the gap, including a national baseline assessment and strengthening laboratory capacity.
The Ministry of Health launched the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy in October 2024 to eliminate industrially produced trans-fat from the food supply. Dr. Taher stressed that coordinated action, clear responsibilities, adequate financing, and effective monitoring are required to implement the strategy. He encouraged stakeholders to agree on practical actions, responsible institutions, and timelines for implementation.
Mr. Benjamin Anabila, Executive Director of INSLA, stated that the goal of the National Strategy is to protect the heart health of all people living in Ghana by eliminating TFA in the food supply. He noted that Ghana has seen a rapid rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and hypertension, which account for 43% of deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The WHO has identified unhealthy diets high in industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) as a major driver of NCDs. iTFA is found largely in partially hydrogenated cooking oils. INSLA and the Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group organised the forum to accelerate the implementation of the strategy and save the lives of Ghanaians.
The stakeholders also recommended building capacity on testing TFAs in Ghana, developing sustainable financing mechanisms, and engaging industry players for product reformation. The implementation of the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy is expected to protect the heart health of Ghanaians and reduce the burden of NCDs in the country.
Key points
- The National TFA Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group has been tasked with drafting a document to implement a ban on partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in Ghana.
- The Ministry of Health launched the National Trans Fat Elimination Strategy in October 2024 to eliminate industrially produced trans-fat from the food supply.
- Stakeholders have recommended the development of communication materials and education on the harm of consuming PHOs, as well as building capacity on testing TFAs in Ghana.