Ekumfi Narkwa (C/R), June 12, GNA - A survey conducted by the Mfantseman Area Development Programme (ADP) of World Vision Ghana, an international child development centred organisation, has revealed that only 45 per cent of people in the municipality use iodised salt. Mrs Gifty Otu Appiah, Manager of the ADP, who disclosed this at a public awareness programme on the health benefits of iodised salt, at Ekumfi Narkwa on Thursday, pointed out that iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in the human body could cause serious mental and physical health problems such as goitre and inhibit the development of children. She said although God did not create anyone to be daft, through the actions and inactions of some parents their children are not able to develop proper mental faculties.

The launch, which was a partnership between the organisation and the Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), was influenced by their commitment to the total development of the child. Mrs Otu Appiah explained that the iodine concentration that food crops absorb from the soil in order to promote good health has been washed way by erosion, floods and other practices that had contributed to land degradation.

To make up for the loss, she said, salt had been identified as a suitable substitute to be iodised.

Dr Kwabena Sarpong, Municipal Director of Health appealed to the Ghana Food and Drugs Board (GFDB), to take measures to ensure that salt winners comply with the directives to iodize salt products before releasing them to the market for consumption.

He said since salt consumers could not easily identify iodised salt from non-iodised products, there was the need for strict supervision by the GFDB, to enforce the directives to minimize IDD related diseases in the country.

Dr Sarpong expressed gratitude to the World Vision Ghana for supporting the health directorate in carrying out child health promotion programmes.

Miss Helena Tibiri, Municipal Disease Control Officer, said promotion of the good health of the people was a shared responsibility and not the sole responsibility of the GHS. She called for collaborative efforts to help reduce diseases in the country.

Nana Fynn, Regent of Narkwa, who chaired the function commended the organisers of the programme for "opening their eyes" and appealed to the authorities to take measures to differentiate iodised salt from the non-iodised products. Sachets of iodised salt were distributed free of charge to the gathering.