The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), in partnership with the International Sweeteners Association (ISA), has successfully hosted a multi-stakeholder roundtable and workshop in Accra aimed at promoting science-based dialogue on low/no calorie sweeteners (LNCS), nutrition, and Ghana’s evolving food policy environment.
The engagement brought together representatives from government institutions, regulatory authorities, academia, health professional bodies, civil society organisations, consumer groups, and the food and beverage industry to discuss the role of evidence-based policymaking in supporting public health objectives and enabling informed consumer choice.
The workshop provided a platform for participants to exchange perspectives on the safety and efficacy of low/no calorie sweeteners, review the latest scientific evidence, and explore their potential role in supporting healthier diets and addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Discussions also considered developments within Ghana’s nutrition and food policy landscape, including the recently launched Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) and other emerging policy initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Laurent Oger, Director General of the International Sweeteners Association (ISA), emphasized the importance of science in shaping public health policies.
“We are encouraged by the level of engagement and the openness of stakeholders to discuss the evidence surrounding low/no calorie sweeteners. Around the world, these ingredients have been extensively evaluated by food safety authorities, and it is important that nutrition and food policy discussions continue to be guided by robust scientific evidence. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this dialogue in Ghana and look forward to continued engagement with stakeholders.”
Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), highlighted the value of collaboration in addressing complex food and nutrition challenges.
“This workshop provided a timely platform for constructive engagement among regulators, academia, health experts, civil society and industry. As Ghana continues to advance policies aimed at improving public health outcomes, stakeholder dialogue and access to credible scientific information will be critical to ensuring balanced, practical and effective policy decisions. AGI remains committed to supporting these conversations and fostering collaboration across all stakeholder groups.”
Participants welcomed the opportunity for open discussion and knowledge sharing, with presentations and deliberations focused on global scientific evidence, international regulatory approaches, consumer understanding, and the role of innovation in supporting healthier food choices.
The event forms part of ISA’s broader stakeholder engagement programme across Africa, aimed at strengthening understanding of low/no calorie sweeteners and supporting informed, science-based discussions on nutrition and public health.
AGI and ISA expressed their appreciation to all participating institutions and stakeholders for their contributions and reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue that supports public health objectives, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking in Ghana.
For additional information visit: https://www.sweeteners.org/END
About AGI
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is Ghana’s leading business association, representing industries across multiple sectors and advocating for policies that promote industrial growth, competitiveness and sustainable economic development.
About ISA
The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) is a scientific association that promotes evidence-based information on low/no calorie sweeteners and supports stakeholder understanding of the science, safety, and regulatory framework governing their use.