Head of Department of Food science and Technology at the University of Development studies, Prof. Francis Kweku Amagloh is advising the populace to enrich their diet with coloured foods to build their immune system in the wake of covid-19.

He notes coloured foods are filled with a substance called polyphenols which is crucial in fighting off disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

“Good nutrition is essential for fighting off bacteria. We need these coloured foods daily to counter the unwanted reactions happening in your body.

“Coloured foods are rich in polyphenols. Make sure your plate is like the rainbow colours,” he emphasized.

Though he praised the government's iron supplementation programme he was worried micronutrient deficiency is still on the high.

Speaking at the 17^th biennual virtual workshop of the Ghana Science Association, Prof. Amagloh believes a sustainable plan to ensure good nutrition will be necessary.

Therefore, he wants the government to promote the consumption of nutrient rich foods like orange-fleshed sweet potato, yellow cassava and orange maize by including it in the government’s planting for food and jobs.

“Zinc, iron vitamin A deficiency is very alarming. We have a lot to do in Ghana. How can we get all the nutrients we need from our food sources?

“4 varieties of the orange maize have been released in Ghana. We need the government’s planting for food and jobs to help promote them,” he said.

The 2020 Ghana Science Association (GSA) Webinar was hosted by the University for Development Studies, Tamale.

It brought together scientists, policy makers and experts in the health sector, to discuss issues that can be optimized to enhance Ghana’s responses to the ever-growing threat of COVID-19.

Such responses will be targeted at improving diets whiles enhancing the efficacy of public health approaches in managing COVID-19.

The webinar is expected to end with a policy direction that can serve as a guideline to reduce vulnerability and augment Ghana’s response in fighting COVID-19 and pandemics of a similar magnitude.