Mrs Patience Opoku, a Public Health Nutrition Officer at the Sunyani Municipal Directorate of Health expressed concern that the uncontrolled consumption of canned, spicy and foreign foods is contributing to rise in diabetes among children.

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.

Mr George Yaw Ankamah, the Bono Regional Director of Children also 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 Act and other child right protocols frown on those practices.
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.

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