The Consumer Protection Association of The Gambia (CPAG) recently joined the Global Movement of Consumer Groups to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD). They aimed to highlight the implications of eating unhealthy food. The programme was held at the NaNa Conference Hall on the Bertil Harding Highway, Mile Seven.

Speaking during the commemoration, the head of the Food and Trade Association, Dr. Omar Touray, said that the association was established in 2005 to make consumers aware. According to him, the association has been working hard for the past three years.

To stop the marketing, Dr. Touray explained that campaigns have to be started both in homes, schools and football clubs.

For his part, Mr. Amadou Gaye, Chairperson of the association, revealed that social concern, environmental concern, sharing together and supporting one another are very important for consumers. This year, the WCRD theme will be ‘Junk Food Generation’, and the campaign will be against the marketing of unhealthy food to children and other consumers.

According to Consumers International (CI), about 177 million children around the world are already overweight or obese and we must act to prevent the spread of the childhood obesity epidemic. Furthermore, he stated, unhealthy diets and a lack of physical exercise are the leading causes of diabetes and heart disease, which are on the rise in developing countries such as The Gambia. Eating food high in fat, salt and sugar contributes to an unhealthy diet and obesity. Other speakers included Mr. Pa Modou Faal, National Nutritional Agency  and  Olay Njie Taal. Both expressed similar sentiments.