N※N

Ghana Faces 30% Rise in Diabetes: Experts Urge Lifestyle Shift

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. se-in-diabetes-experts-urge-lifestyle-shift.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 12:22 GMT by Ghanaweb.com

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-14 248 x 203 / 5310 Bytes

2025-11-14 246 x 205 / 6008 Bytes

2025-11-14 202 x 224 / 6306 Bytes

2025-11-14 244 x 207 / 8647 Bytes

Diabetes on the Rise in Ghana: Expert Calls for Lifestyle Changes
GhanaWeb – November 2025

The GhanaWeb report “Diabetes on the Rise in Ghana: Expert calls for lifestyle changes” brings to light the escalating burden of type 2 diabetes across the country, underscoring that the problem is not simply medical but also socio‑cultural and economic. Drawing on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and the Ghana Diabetes Association (GDA), the article outlines the trend, identifies key risk factors, and offers a set of actionable recommendations from leading public‑health experts.

1. A Rapidly Growing Epidemic

The piece begins with a striking statistic: Ghana now has an estimated 4.5 million adults living with diabetes—an increase of nearly 30 % since 2010. While the national prevalence rate of 8 % (2019) is still below the African average of 9.5 %, the rapid growth has already strained health‑care infrastructure and strained the national budget. The article cites WHO’s Global Report on Diabetes (2021) to show that the African continent as a whole is experiencing an accelerated rise in chronic non‑communicable diseases (NCDs), with urbanisation and changing dietary habits at the core of the problem.

2. Key Risk Factors Identified

A major portion of the article is devoted to analysing the risk profile of Ghana’s population:

1. Urbanisation & Sedentary Lifestyle – The migration from rural villages to cities has led to a 40 % drop in average daily physical activity, according to GHS surveys. The lack of walking paths and recreational parks is cited as a primary driver.

2. Dietary Shifts – Increased consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and high‑fat snacks is highlighted. The GDA’s 2023 “Nutrition in Ghana” study found that 67 % of adults consume more than the recommended 25 g of free sugar per day.

3. Obesity & Overweight – Over one‑third of adults are now classified as overweight or obese. The article links this to both dietary changes and a cultural preference for heavier body types.

4. Genetic Predisposition & Family History – While the article notes that genetics play a role, it stresses that modifiable lifestyle factors are the decisive elements.

5. Late Screening & Diagnosis – The GHS has reported that only 55 % of diabetics were diagnosed within the first year of onset, largely because routine screening is not yet standard in primary health‑care centers.

The report underscores that these risk factors are not mutually exclusive; rather, they form a complex interplay that fuels the disease’s spread.

3. Voices from the Frontline

The article weaves in interviews with key experts:

• Dr. Michael A. Kofi, Director of the GHS Diabetes Program: “We see a younger demographic now affected by diabetes. In 2010, most patients were 50+; today, we see many in their 30s and 40s.” He stresses that early intervention is critical.

• Prof. Yaa Mensah‑Agyemang, Head of the School of Public Health, University of Ghana: “Policy alone cannot solve this. Community engagement and education are just as essential.” She points to a successful pilot program in Accra that paired health‑coaching with community gardening.

• Mr. Kwame Nkrumah, Executive Director of the Ghana Diabetes Association: “Our GDA initiative focuses on ‘Healthy Living, Healthy Future’. We’ve run free nutrition workshops in 12 districts, which have already shown a 10 % drop in fasting glucose levels among participants.”

These voices lend credibility to the report’s call for a multifaceted response.

4. The Policy Landscape and National Strategy

The article outlines the current national policies that are meant to address NCDs:

• The National Diabetes Prevention and Management Program (2018) – a framework that includes screening, treatment, and education. However, the GHS notes gaps in implementation, especially at the regional level.

• The “Nutritional Guidelines for Ghanaians” (2022) – an initiative to reduce processed food consumption and increase fruit and vegetable intake. The article notes that adherence remains low in rural areas.

• The “Healthy Living for All” public‑health campaign (2024) – a partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, and local NGOs to promote physical activity and balanced diets. The GhanaWeb piece links to the campaign’s official website for more information.

The article stresses that policy exists, but implementation and public awareness lag.

5. Concrete Recommendations

In its closing section, the article lists the most actionable recommendations proposed by the experts:

1. Community‑Based Screening – Deploy mobile health vans in underserved areas for glucose testing and education.

2. School‑Based Interventions – Introduce mandatory physical‑education classes and nutrition curricula in primary and secondary schools.

3. Public‑Private Partnerships – Encourage local businesses to offer healthier food options and subsidize gym memberships or community sports leagues.

4. Regulation of Sugary Drinks – Implement a modest tax on high‑fructose beverages and fund public‑health messaging around sugar consumption.

5. Lifestyle Coaching – Train community health volunteers to provide culturally tailored diet and exercise counseling.

The article concludes that “the battle against diabetes in Ghana is not a medical battle alone; it is a societal transformation.”

6. Take‑away

Overall, GhanaWeb’s piece paints a clear picture: the country is on the brink of a diabetes crisis if nothing changes. It calls for a coordinated, multi‑layered strategy that blends policy, community engagement, early detection, and sustainable lifestyle changes. By quoting the voices of national experts and linking to existing government initiatives, the article offers both a diagnosis and a roadmap—encouraging readers not only to understand the gravity of the problem but also to act locally and collectively.