SEND Ghana, GAND to Finalise Draft of "Front-of-Pack Warning Labels" (FOPWL) Policy

Civil society organisation SEND Ghana and the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) are in the final stages of drafting Ghana’s Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) Policy, aimed at curbing excessive consumption of sugar, salt, fat, and calories through clearer food labeling.

The announcement was made during a stakeholder workshop in Accra, which marked the last public engagement before the draft is submitted to Parliament via the Ministry of Health.

The FOPWL system proposes simple warning symbols or text on packaged foods to alert consumers when a product is “High in” sugar, sodium, fat, or calories. The goal is to empower consumers to make healthier choices and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products to meet nutritional standards.

GAND President Rev. Prince Baidoo emphasized the urgency of the policy, citing rising rates of hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer linked to poor dietary habits. “Obesity in childhood often leads to chronic illness in adulthood. We must intervene early,” he stated.

The initiative has faced resistance from some manufacturers, particularly producers of sugar-heavy beverages, who argue that warning labels could hurt profitability. Nonetheless, public health advocates insist the policy is vital to reduce Ghana’s healthcare burden.

The workshop brought together clergy, nutritionists, community members, and social advocates to shape the final draft. GAND General Secretary Joseph Bamfo Danquah noted that many consumers unknowingly ingest harmful levels of sugar, salt, and fat. “People are consuming products that are very high in sugar, fat and salt, and they are not even aware,” he said.

Danquah also urged the public to report adverse reactions from local beverages to both hospitals and police, highlighting the need for regulatory oversight and standardization of locally produced goods.

The draft policy will be submitted to Parliament, where advocates hope for swift passage. Both SEND Ghana and GAND stress that collaboration between civil society, academia, and industry will be key to successful implementation.