The Ministry of Health has raised the alarm over rising obesity rates, revealing that nearly one-third of adults in Ghana are now overweight or obese.

The disclosure was made by Awinibuno A.N. Ignatius, Director and Chief Programme Officer for Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, during the GreenStay Initiative held on July 10, 2026 in Accra at the Movenpick Hotel.

He outlined new measures being undertaken in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Education, and private sector stakeholders to reverse the trend.

“So we have a collaboration with the Ministry of Education on this issue. However, we must take note that government alone cannot transform the food environment. The private sector, particularly the hospitality industry, food manufacturers, and retailers, also has an important role to play,” he said.

He noted that, according to the 2023 Ghana STEPS Report, overweight and obesity now affect nearly one-third of Ghanaian adults.

He said the country is facing a dual burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition on one hand and a steady rise in obesity-related diseases on the other, including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

Poor dietary habits are compounding the problem. The Ministry said fewer than 5% of adults consume the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, describing the finding as a clear indication that the eating habits of many Ghanaians fall well below basic nutritional guidelines.

To address the challenge, the Ministry highlighted its 2022 Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Policy, developed in partnership with the WHO, which promotes healthier diets and increased physical activity. It is also working with the Ministry of Education to roll out nutrition education and wellness programmes in schools.

The Ministry further appealed to hotels, restaurants, food manufacturers, and retailers to reduce the use of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats in their products, introduce healthier menu options, and invest in workplace wellness initiatives.

According to the Ministry, reducing obesity rates will improve productivity, lower healthcare costs, and support Ghana's broader development agenda.

DR/MA