Validating health promotion and communication materials to advocate for a health tax increase on sugary beverages and unhealthy packaged foods was at the center of a recent workshop in Bamenda. This initiative underscores the evidence supporting the public health and development benefits of such a tax.

Led by Ferdinant Sonyuy, chairman of RADA, the workshop brought together experts from various fields, including Prof. Ndamsa Dickson, a prominent lecturer at the University of Bamenda. Prof. Dickson emphasized the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are the leading cause of death globally. He noted that approximately 41 million people die from NCDs each year, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt of this crisis. In Cameroon, NCDs accounted for about 235,000 deaths in 2016, representing 35% of fatalities among those over 50.

The workshop aimed to design and validate communication tools that would effectively raise awareness about the health tax initiative. Participants engaged in discussions about a range of promotional materials, including brochures, T-shirts, notebooks, and pens, all tailored to resonate with the local population. The focus was on addressing misconceptions and gaps in knowledge regarding healthy food options.

Ferdinant Sonyuy highlighted the workshop’s goal: “We aim to make unhealthy products more expensive and less accessible, thereby reducing their consumption and improving public health.” The collaborative effort sought to ensure that the materials are contextually relevant and capable of prompting behavioral shifts among Cameroonians.

As the workshop concluded, experts expressed optimism that these validated materials would play a crucial role in informing the public and encouraging healthier choices. The initiative represents a proactive step towards addressing the growing health challenges posed by unhealthy food consumption in Cameroon.

Story, François Essomba