In support of efforts to tackle the growing spate of NCDs in Ghana, CIC through its healthy eating for healthy living program, Meatless Monday, held community education sessions with two church groups in Accra. These were the Hope Congregation, Sakumono Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship where 134 members participated in the event in July; and the Kaneshie Presbyterian Church Women’s Fellowship which brought 99 members together for the education session in August
The two meetings stressed the need for developing healthy eating or dietary habits such as reducing red meat consumption, eating more vegetables and fruits, eating more legumes such as beans and ground nuts, eating on time, and drinking enough water each day.
Participants however expressed concerns about the affordability and accessibility of plant-based foods compared to meat. There were queries about how to convince family members, particularly husbands and children, to practice Meatless Monday by eating more plant-based meals especially on Mondays instead of meat-based meals. This practice it was agreed could help all to reduce their personal risk of contracting non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes, stroke kidney diseases and others.
Madam Charlotte Amanor leader of the Sakumono Fellowship and Madam Mavis Asante of the Kaneshie Fellowship called for extension of this useful health education activity to all fellowships in the various congregations of the church.
