The Meatless Monday Public Health Initiative

MEATLESS MONDAY GHANA

Some Selected Key Activities

The Young Peoples Program

University of Ghana Legon, Accra
Accra Technical University
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi
Takoradi Technical University
Cape Coast University

Introducing Meatless Monday to the Dean and Student Leadership of the University of Ghana

MM Implementation Coordinating Team formed at KNUST:

Dean of Students Affairs
Counselling Psychologists
Rep. of Wellness Center
SRC President

Institutions Getting Engaged on Meatless Monday in Ghana

Public Sector

Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Health Promotion Division, GHS
Nutrition Dept. GHS
NCDs Control Program GHS
Environmental Protection Agency

Civil Society

Vegetarian Association of Ghana
Ghana NCDs Alliance
Diabetes Association of Ghana
Mothers Club in Development – Nima Accra

Corporate Institutions

Tullow Oil
Volta River Authority,
Ghana Hotels Association Greater Accra Region & Ashanti Region
Hoteliers Ass. Ashanti Region
Toyota Ghana with its 8 branches around the country
Asanko Gold Mines
Social Security & National Insurance Trust, Kumasi

Professional Bodies

Ghana Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
Community Practice Pharmacists Association
Chefs Association of Ghana – Greater Accra
Chefs Association of Ghana – Ashanti Region

Religious Bodies

Calvary Baptist Church – Shiashi & Adenta
Kaneshie Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church Sakumono Hope Congregation.
Pentecost International Worship Center – Atomic Hills
Transformation Power Chapel

Engagement of the hospitality industry on Meatless Monday

Sensitization meeting with leadership of the Greater Accra Regional Branch of the Hotels Association of Ghana

Engaging Journalists for promoting healthy eating and preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Ag. Director, Health Promotion
Division GHS delivering the Opening Address

► Health Reporters from key Electronic (TV & Radio) and Print (including on-line) media houses in Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast and Takoradi educated on Meatless Monday
► Journalists for prevention of NCDs Contest launched by CIC, GHS – HPD and NCD Control Program

PURPOSE
Effective and increased dissemination of information on Healthy Eating and prevention of NCDs

Health Reporters and CIC Meatless Monday Ghana Team

Dr. Commey, Manager Ghana NCDs Control Program presents status of the NCDs situation
in Ghana

Monday Special

Communication materials developed and deployed

► Posters
► Reminder Cards

If we drop meat on Mondays, what should we eat?

Ghana is rich in local green leafy vegetables that have for long been part of the food culture of the various ethnic groups and traditional areas.
There are various types of legumes, nuts and seeds: Beans and Ground nuts etc.
A variety of local fruits are also available: Bananas, oranges etc.

Animation Video on Healthy Eating

Video distributed to over 33,000 people during Pilot Phase and currently being shared on the Expanded phase Young Peoples Program

The MM Ghana Team

Overview

The Meatless Monday public health initiative promotes reduction in meat consumption and increases in plant-based diets to encourage healthier eating habits for healthier lives. This program comes in at the right time for the Ghanaian population where Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) currently contribute to 45% all-cause mortality. Reduction in meat consumption and increasing vegetable consumption is a proven process for preventing NCDs.

Objectives

Raise awareness about the benefits of reducing meat especially red meat and meat products consumption.
Promote increased consumption of vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds
Encourage leadership and members of faith-based groups, corporate institutions in both the public and private sectors as well as professional and community groups to adopt the Meatless Monday practice of avoiding meat and meat products at least one day in a week.

Activities

Hold advocacy meetings with leadership of public and private sector leaderships to promote Meatless Monday.
Hold sensitization/education meetings with workers of public and private sector institutions as well as faith-based groups on reduced meat consumption and increased plant-based eating for healthy living.
Collaborate with print and electronic media establishments for increased dissemination of Meatless Monday messages among the population.
Collaborate with key culinary professionals such as the Chefs Association of Ghana to promote plant-based eating.

Impact

A change in dietary habits is a strongly recommended formula for avoiding preventable illnesses especially as NCDs such as Cardiovascular/Heart Diseases, Type2 Diabetes, Stroke, Kidney Stones, Obesity and certain Cancers. Meatless Monday practice will help in achieving healthier living.

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WHAT WE DO

Communication Initiatives for Change (CIC) is a Ghanaian non-profit established in 2010, driven by two decades of expertise in health and development communication. It aims to elevate the quality of communication and response to development needs in Ghana.