President Mahama Jokingly Advises Ghanaians to Avoid Late-Night Banku as He Promotes Healthier Eating Habits

President John Dramani Mahama has humorously advised Ghanaians to reconsider their habit of eating heavy meals late at night, as part of a broader push toward healthier living.

Speaking at the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative on Wednesday, April 15, the President linked the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to modern eating patterns and increasingly inactive lifestyles.

He described a common routine where people return home after long working hours and consume heavy meals late in the evening, warning that such habits may negatively affect health. He jokingly urged citizens to reduce or avoid late-night consumption of foods like banku, suggesting that dinner should ideally be eaten earlier in the evening.

Mahama further illustrated his point by describing individuals who remain largely inactive throughout the day yet still prefer large portions of heavy foods at night, questioning the health implications of such routines. He advised that if people feel hungry later in the night, they should opt for lighter alternatives instead of heavy meals.

He also compared current lifestyles with those of earlier generations, noting that in the past, people engaged in physically demanding activities such as farming, which balanced their high-energy diets. In contrast, he said modern lifestyles involve long hours of sitting at work and minimal physical activity, followed by heavy evening meals.

His remarks were part of a wider appeal under the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, which aims to promote healthier lifestyles and increase public awareness of how daily habits contribute to rising non-communicable diseases.