As the nation enters the peak of the 2025 festive season, leading health advocacy groups have issued a stark warning: the joy of the holidays should not be a precursor to a lifetime of disease.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the NCD Alliance Ghana (GhNCDA) and the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST-Ghana) urged Ghanaians to guard against the rising risks of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which now account for nearly half of all deaths in the country.
The ‘Ultra-Processed’ Threat: A Holiday Trap
Public health experts are sounding the alarm over the “rapid transformation” of the Ghanaian food environment during December.
Markets and social gatherings are currently flooded with ultra-processed foods, which research shows now make up over 30% of retail items in urban Ghana.
The coalition noted that diets high in these products increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes by over 20%.
“True celebration thrives on nourishment, not excess, not ultra-processed… prioritize home-cooked meals with fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains,” the statement, signed by the National Coordinator of the Ghana NCD Alliance, Labram Musa, advised.
Road Safety and the Alcohol Crisis
The appeal also highlighted a grim milestone: as of November 2025, Ghana’s roads had already claimed over 2,000 lives.
With alcohol consumption peaking during the holidays, the risk of fatalities is expected to spike.
The National Road Safety Authority has been criticized for what the alliance calls a “big failure” to curb the annual loss of life.
“We advise the public to avoid traveling with drivers under the influence… law enforcement agencies must enforce drink driving laws without exception. Turning a blind eye has cost and will continue to cost lives,” the groups warned.
The Shisha and Vape ‘Epidemic’
A major focus of the 2025 appeal is the illegal rise of nicotine products. The coalition clarified that all shisha and vape products sold in Ghana are illegal under the Public Health Act (Act 851), as they are not registered for use by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
“Tobacco kills more than half of its users… [Vapes] are designed to hook you forever. There is no safe level of exposure,” the group noted, urging the youth to resist these “deadly” trends that are often marketed as safer alternatives to cigarettes.
Mental Health: ‘Presence Over Presents’
In a compassionate turn, the statement acknowledged that the festive season is often a period of high stress, grief, and financial anxiety—factors that the WHO identifies as major contributors to hypertension and heart complications.
“Set realistic budgets, maintain healthy boundaries… remember that your presence matters more than presents,” said the National Coordinator of the Ghana NCD Alliance.
The Health Coalition’s ‘Sustainable Celebration’ Checklist:
- Move More: 30 minutes of intentional dancing or walking daily to reduce blood sugar.
- Eat Smart: Swap sugary drinks for water; avoid late-night heavy feasting.
- Smoke-Free Zones: Keep homes and vehicles 100% free from tobacco and shisha.
- Zero-Tolerance Driving: Report any driver who appears impaired to the police immediately.
“The true measure of festive success is families returning whole, healthy, and alive in the new year,” Musah concluded.
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