Renowned Cellular Pathologist and Lifestyle Wellness Consultant, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, has issued a stark warning about the health risks associated with communal eating, particularly in the spread of Hepatitis B.
Speaking at a health forum at the Ghana Shippers Authority Hall in Ridge, Accra, Prof. Akosa highlighted how traditional practices such as eating soupy foods like fufu, omo tuo, or tuo zaafi from a shared bowl can facilitate the transmission of this serious liver infection.
Prof. Akosa explained that communal eating often involves individuals putting their hands into their mouths and then dipping them back into the shared soup, inadvertently mixing saliva with the food.
"People put their hands in their mouth, and dip them in the soup. By such behavior, they can mix saliva with the soup and if they have Hepatitis B, they can spread it," he stated.
The former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) shared his insights during a discussion on practical strategies to enhance public health in Ghana.
The event, part of the Graphic National Dialogue Series, was designed by the Graphic Communications Group Ltd to foster national consensus on development issues in a non-partisan environment.
Prof. Akosa was joined by Prof. Aaron Abuosi, a health policy and management expert, as the main speakers on the theme “Quality Health for All.”
Reflecting on traditional practices, Prof. Akosa noted that communal activities, including eating, were once integral to social life.
However, he underscored the health risks that come with such practices in the modern context.
"Once upon a time, we were all there, there was group participation, group eating, group everything," he reminisced.
"It was later on that I realized this is how we spread Hepatitis B. We didn't know that. We are all eating fufu; by the time you finish, you are drinking saliva."
He elaborated on the risks, explaining that sharing a bowl with multiple people results in the exchange of saliva, making it an efficient way to spread Hepatitis B.
"I mean five, six of you, you are doing omo tuo or you are doing fufu. What do you think you are doing? By the time you are ending, you are drinking saliva. It is the easiest way to spread Hepatitis B," he said.
The dialogue served as a platform for the experts to share their thoughts on healthy foods and lifestyle choices that can prevent diseases.
Prof. Akosa's comments are a crucial reminder of the importance of adopting safer eating practices to protect public health.
The event emphasized the need for increased awareness and education on health issues, encouraging Ghanaians to reconsider some of their traditional practices in favor of more hygienic alternatives.
As Ghana continues to strive for better health outcomes, the insights from this dialogue highlight the ongoing need for public education on disease prevention and healthy living.
Prof. Akosa’s warning serves as a valuable lesson in the intersection of tradition and health, urging a balance that protects cultural practices while safeguarding public health.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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