The Vegetarian Association of Ghana (VegGhana) has called on the Ministry of Health to help intensify efforts towards promoting the consumption of plant based diets in the country.

They equally appealed to Government to consider incorporating more plant based diets into the school feeding program. This, they believe will help reduce the cost of school feeding program as well as improve upon the health budget making it possible for the government to come out with more productive and developmental projects at its own merit of funding.

According to a statement released by the Association signed by Dr. Kofi Asare, Chairman of the planning committee to the Ministry of Health through the Regenerative Health Department indicates that consumption of meat or animal produce has woefully contributed to lifestyle related diseases such as stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases in Ghana.

“The fact that Ghana has more cases of child cancer and child diabetes is proof that the nation must invest more in educating the youth about the benefit of eating plant based diet rich in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals” the report has specified.

The association has also raised concern about the country’s spending of gargantuan sum of money annually for curing illness and diseases which should have been preventable if healthy lifestyle is adopted through consumption of plant based diet and call on the Health Ministry to make a concerted effort towards inculcating plant based diet into the school feeding program as well intensify the sensitization of the public on the consumption of plant based diets.

The group embarked on a health walk on Friday October 24, at 9am from Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle to the Ministries through the principal streets of Accra to engage the public on the need to lead a healthy lifestyle and also petitioned government on the need to educate the public on the consumption of plant based diet instead of animal products

Finally ending up the walk at Asasepa Restaurant on High street, members of the association had a good treat of varieties of palatable vegetarian foods and drinks to while the day away.

The Director of Regenerative Health Department of Ministry of Health, who received the petition on behalf of the Ministry noted the Ministry has been active in performance of his duties and will leave no stone unturned in its quest to ensuring that the requirement of healthy lifestyle will be met through by the public through a much rigorous campaign and intensification of it sensitization programs.

He cautioned the public to desist from consumption of red meat as well as lessen the intake of alcoholic beverages which he however, indicated that according to UN report, it is noted to be the major contributor to cardiovascular diseases like cancer and the rest.

The 42nd IVU World Vegfest which was anticipated to take place between October, 1-6, 2014 suffered postponement to next year October(2015) due to the unforeseen circumstance regarding the outbreak of Ebola Viral Disease in the West Africa sub region which has compelled Government to place a ban on International conferences for three months.

The group members however, announced Saturday October 25th will be a full day of educational seminars, entertainment, exhibitions, great food and family fun at the Efua Sutherland Park and therefore humbly call upon the general public to participate in the event by way of showing support and love towards promotion of vegetarianism in Ghana.

VegGhana finds the upcoming event as a perfect platform to reintroduce to Ghanaians and the global family indigenous delicacies of varieties of local Ghanaian dishes.

“The 43rd World Vegfest next year will be a celebration of experience as this is the first time the event is being held in Africa” Edwin Baffour, Public relations officer of VegGhana has said.

The 9th Annual Ghana Vegfest celebration is on the theme “Miraculously preserved – Celebrating life at the center of the earth” where the association seeks to reintroduce many traditional Ghanaian vegetarian dishes that are being forgotten due to the impact of globalization.

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