The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is urging for increased investment in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the nation.

This appeal follows a recent surge in mortality rates among middle-aged individuals, stressing the importance of adopting healthier lifestyles.

Non-communicable diseases encompass conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes, which are not transmitted from person to person like infectious diseases.

The acting Programme Manager for non-communicable diseases at the GHS, Dr. Efua Commeh, emphasised the significance of adopting healthy habits during an interview with Accra-based Asaase Radio on Monday, March 11.

She underscored the need for public awareness and proactive measures to combat this rising health challenge.

“I believe that as a country, there is so much we can do, consciously putting in the effort to reduce the risk factors, creating an enabling environment by making it difficult for people to access unhealthy diets and giving school children healthy diets.”

“And also consciously investing in non-communicable diseases because if we are not deliberate, it’s just a ticking time bomb. A majority of youth are going to be down with one NCD and will affect our whole productive workforce,” she said.