BackgroundDiet-related noncommunicable diseases represent a major global public health challenge, and require a multisectoral policy response. However, the use of trade policy in this context has met with varied success in the face of strong global trade liberalization agendas. The Government of Ghana has implemented an innovative food standards policy to limit the amount of fat in meat and meat cuts, in response to rising imports of low quality fatty meat cuts. This paper presents an analysis of the policy process and outcomes, as well as contextual factors in policy development, to enable policy learning in other jurisdictions.MethodsWe conducted 28 semi-structured policy analysis interviews with 37 stakeholders at the national and regional level in Ghana, and collated relevant documents. We analysed the data using the health policy analysis triangle and policy theories related to lesson drawing.ResultsThe standards were developed in response to health concerns related to fatty meat (particularly turkey tails), in a context of rising meat imports and a generalised concern about the low quality and high fat content of imported meats. The standards were the result of collaboration between the trade and health sectors. The standards apply to both imported and domestic meat, and were designed to be compliant with Ghana’s multilateral trade commitments. The overall effect of the ban has been to reduce availability of specific ‘low quality’ high-fat meats in the Ghanaian food supply, namely turkey tails and chicken feet.ConclusionsThis study indicates that the use of standards can reduce availability of high-fat meat in a national food supply. The main strength of a standards approach to reducing fatty meat (mainly imported) in the food supply is compliance with global trade law, while the main challenge is effective enforcement. However, the Government of Ghana appears to have developed a functional and flexible application of the policy. Features of this policy approach useful for policy learning include: collaboration at every stage between ministries of trade and health; considerations relating to compliance with international trade law; strategic enforcement of the policy; and the importance of public awareness efforts.

Background: The nutrition transition, currently observed across the world is driven by trade liberalization, urbanization and more sedentary lifestyles. Ghana implemented a restrictive policy to limit the availability and access to fatty meat in the 1990s. This paper sought to determine public awareness and perception of the policy's enforcement and impact, as well as the general attitude towards fatty meat, preference and consumption of meat types. Method: A cross-sectional qualitative study was carried out among 377 adults, aged ≥18 years, living in Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region, the second largest city in Ghana. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire were used for data collection. Body composition parameters were determined with OMRON body composition analyser and blood pressure was measured with a digital sphygmomanometer. Results: Majority of respondents were females (62.9%), aged 18-35 years old (72.1%) and were labourers, traders or teachers (52.5%). Mean Body Mass Index of participants was 25.4 kg/m 2 and percent body fat was 30.4%. Over half (58.9%) of the participants were aware of, and most (81.2%) supported the restrictions, although majority (57%) thought there was low public awareness and less than 15% felt the restrictions were well enforced. About 59.4% believed the restriction could improve health, prevent disease and reduce deaths in the long-term. Two thirds (67.1%) of the participants considered the fat content of the meat they bought and related fat to health problems (38.5%) and obesity/stroke (7.4%). Local meat products (meat produced in Ghana) were more preferred due to taste, freshness and healthiness than imported meat, but imported meat types (meat imported from other countries) were more available (56.5%), cheaper (69.5%) and regularly consumed than the local types. Conclusion: There was a good level of public awareness, strong support and positive attitude towards Ghana's restrictive food standards on meat. Although preference for local meat type was greater, imported meat was more consumed due to cost and availability. Policies which limit access to, and availability of 'unhealthy' food should be implemented and enforced to improve the food environment in order to help address the growing obesity and non communicable disease trend.

This study investigates the failure of leaf springs used in the suspension system of heavy-duty vehicles in Ghana. Primary and secondary data were collected using both open and closed-ended questionnaires. Welders and fabricators of Sarkyoyo enterprise at the Suame Spare parts dealership area in Kumasi were engaged in the survey. The elastic strain and stress mathematical models were used to determine the stress points in a loaded leaf spring with the aid of ANSYS. The factors considered in the analysis were the leaf spring SAE design specification, the recommended Ghana Highway Authority load limit for heavy-duty vehicles, and the terrain. Analysis was done for both the standard and variable curvature leaf springs. The mode of failure was found to be fatigue loading. The causes of failure were determined to be loaded beyond the recommended 43 tons per wheel limit, bad roads, and reckless driving. It was also observed that loading causes the edges of the leaf spring to bend outwardly from the top, making the edges more prone to failure. Results further showed that the leaf spring with variable curvature recorded strain energy 2.5 times higher than the standards leaf spring.