The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has said that early introduction of cocoa to children will be a major step to curb the diabetes burden in the country.
According to him, diabetes was on the rise in Ghana and mostly identified with family history, low physical activity, increasing age and obesity as significant determinants of diabetes mellitus.
Mr Aidoo made the remarks during the 30th anniversary and fund raising dinner of the Accra Golden Lions Club in Accra on Saturday.
The anniversary aimed to raise funds to support the National Diabetes Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Mr Aidoo indicated that, current estimate of the prevalence of diabetes in the country was around six per cent with 450,000 cases recorded in 2014, adding undiagnosed diabetes accounts for about 70 percent of those with the disease in Ghana.
“The cost of treatment per person per year is between $400.00 and $480.00, that is between $180 million and $216 million.” he added.
He intimated that cocoa was generally regarded as the most concentrated dietary source of flavanols (polyphenols) with the strongest antioxidants potential. Polyphenols he said had been found to attenuate postprandial glycemic response and fasting hyperglycemia while improving acute insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity.
Mr Aidoo asserted that early consumption of chocolate and cocoa products helped prevent diabetes hence the need to be introduced early to children whether at home, school or workplace to help improved their wellbeing.
He noted that government was committed to renovate and refurbished the National Diabetes Management and Research Centre and commended Lions Club International for its contributions towards the diabetes centre.
The Head of Public Relations at Ghana Standards Authority, Mr Peter Martey Agbeko, in a speech on behalf of the Director-General commended the Lions Club at the national level for their leadership in community development projects across the country.
He expressed GSA’s commitment to supporting the developmental work of the Lions and other organisations by ensuring standardisation and compliance with excising regimes.
The president of the Accra Golden Lion’s Club, Mrs Zainab Mahama, said the anniversary was another great stride in the history of the club. She said the club over the years had impacted the lives of the underprivileged, built meaningful relationships with other Lions and community members at large.
“We members of the Accra Golden Lions Club are proud of our achievements and impactful service. The number of memorable projects and service activities is a solid testament to our enviable track record,” she added.
Mrs Mahama urged its members to continue to attract quality members as well as build formidable clubs despite its challenges and expressed the club’s commitment to continue to impact the lives of
people in society.
The Head of the Korle Bu Diabetes Centre. Dr Yacoba Atiasc recounted the support of the club and commended them for selecting the centre among the numerous and coming to the aid of patients and bringing attention to diabetes.
Source: Ghanaian Times