Mahama cautions against late-night heavy meals as NCD burden rises

Accra, April 15, – President John Dramani Mahama has raised concern over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country, warning Ghanaians to adopt healthier eating habits as part of efforts to address the trend.

NCDs are chronic conditions that are not transmitted from person to person and are often linked to genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.

President Mahama made the remarks at the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme (FPHC) at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region.

He said conditions such as hypertension, strokes, cardiovascular diseases, breast and cervical cancers, and kidney failure had become the leading causes of ill health in the country.

According to him, changes in lifestyle habits were contributing significantly to the rising burden of these diseases.

“And so one of the aspects of the Free Primary Healthcare will be to educate people on what makes you susceptible to non-communicable diseases and how to change your lifestyle,” he said.

He cautioned against excessive consumption of heavy meals, particularly at night, urging Ghanaians to adopt moderation in their dietary habits.

“If you are the kind of person who likes eating heavy foods, you are not physically active… you are sitting in one place, and yet when they give you your fufu or banku, you say it is too small,” he said.

“Please by seven o’clock eat your dinner, and don’t eat again. If you are hungry, just take a cup of tea or something. Don’t eat any heavy food,” he advised.

President Mahama said lifestyle education would form a key component of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, aimed at reducing vulnerability to NCDs.

He explained that primary healthcare services would be delivered through CHPS compounds, health centres, polyclinics, health posts, community pharmacies and school infirmaries.

He added that the programme would be implemented in phases, with 150 districts covered in the first phase, expansion to remaining districts in 2027, and full national coverage by 2028.

GHBUSS

15 April 2026