The CEO of Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) and the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), Dr Mrs Charity Binka, has called on journalists to spotlight a growing but underreported health crisis in Ghana—an epidemic not driven by war or natural disaster, but by everyday lifestyle choices and economic stress.

Addressing journalists from the Volta and Oti Regions at a two-day capacity-building workshop under the Nkabom Collaboration initiative, Dr Binka described the increasing rate of preventable deaths among Ghana’s youth and working class as both alarming and avoidable.

“This is not a shock anymore—yes, it is a painful exit, but people are dying slowly, and attention fades too soon,” she said. “If you listen closely, it’s our lifestyle—the things we eat, what we drink, when and how we consume them. People smoke, they drink excessively, and most of all, they are frustrated. They don’t have jobs. And depression is killing them quietly.”

Dr Binka expressed concern over the growing number of young people dying prematurely, citing poor nutrition, inadequate rest, and stressful work conditions as key contributors. She explained that many Ghanaians now survive on multiple low-paying gigs, often earning just GH¢10 or GH¢20 from each, and are left with only two hours of sleep daily—conditions that severely disrupt bodily functions, including blood sugar regulation.

She urged journalists to go beyond surface-level event coverage and uncover the deeper human stories behind Ghana’s health statistics.
“We must tell the story. We must let people know what is happening. He [a facilitator] talked about an epidemic, and indeed, it is. The number of young men you see today, wasting away, must alarm us all.”

Encouraging practical solutions, Dr Binka advocated for a return to simple, healthy habits such as home gardening. She referenced the workshop’s 50-50 theory-practice approach and encouraged participants to take ownership of their nutrition.

“If you can start a backyard garden—even with cabbage or carrots—you don’t need to work for anyone. You become an employer while still being an employee, stress-free and eating healthy,” she advised.

As part of the workshop, journalists visited the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, where they observed a smart farming initiative focused on tackling food insecurity, promoting healthy diets, and reducing reliance on processed foods. Despite challenges like limited resources and unreliable water supply, the project has become a model for community-based agricultural empowerment.

Dr Binka underscored the significance of such hands-on initiatives in combating malnutrition and health risks.

“We have no excuse to talk about malnutrition or fish scarcity when we have the tools to grow our food. We must diversify and take responsibility for our health,” she asserted.

The Nkabom Collaboration aims to enhance the capacity of journalists to report on health, nutrition, and environmental issues with depth, urgency, and empathy. Through training and field exposure, media professionals are expected to become vocal advocates in addressing lifestyle-driven health crises and promoting sustainable well-being across Ghana.