She said the situation was so worrying that the directorate had recorded some cases of diabetes among minors, even some below eight years put on drugs.  

The Nutritionist called on families to control the meals of their children, urging them to opt for traditional and locally prepared dishes for their children.  

Mrs Opoku raised the concern when speaking at a child sensitization forum to mark the observance of the Ghana Month in Sunyani, organised by the St Anselm’s Anglican Child and Youth Development Centre (CYDC) in Sunyani.  

Observed every March, Ghana Month also known as Heritage Month serves as a period for reflection on the nation’s history and independence as well as promoting the diverse traditions that define Ghanaian society.  

The school children, between nine and 14 years old, wore traditional attire and displayed diverse cultural performances to highlight the need to preserve culture and tradition which reflect the identity of Ghanaians.  

They were also enlightened on how to prepare typical Ghanaian diets like ‘Etor’, ‘banku’, ‘fufuo’ and soup, ‘aprapransa’ Ampesi’ and some local drinks.  

Mrs Opoku advised families to control the consumption of ‘red meat’ spicy and fatty food among their children, urging them to allow their children to eat vegetables like onion, ginger and green leaves.  

She said the frequent intake of fried eggs was not good for children, advising parents to rather allow their children to eat boiled eggs.  

Mr George Yaw Ankamah, the Bono Regional Director of Children, cautioned families against using their children for exploitative work in the detriment of their education.  

He said it was an offence for families to allow their children to do menial jobs like selling sachet water and other consumables on the streets during school hours, saying that the children’s Act and other child right protocols frown on those practices.  

Earlier in a welcoming address, Mr Duodu Bimpong, the Director of the St Anselm’s Anglican CYDC, explained that the centre had 260 inmates, saying that it organised the event annually to enlighten the school children on culture and tradition.