Dr. Naa Asheley Ashietey Champions Spinal Health and Nutritional Reform in Ghana

Dr. Naa Asheley Ashietey, the CEO of Nova Wellness Centre and a pioneering chiropractor, is leading a call for a paradigm shift in Ghana’s healthcare and lifestyle habits. Having returned to Ghana from the United States fifteen years ago, Dr. Ashietey has dedicated her career to bridging significant gaps in the country's medical landscape. Her recent public health advocacy focuses on two critical areas: the importance of spinal health for overall wellness and the urgent need for Ghanaians to rethink their dietary habits to combat the rising tide of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Ashietey notes that she was the first Ghanaian female chiropractor to practice in the country, entering a field then largely dominated by expatriates. Driven by patriotism and a desire to educate the public, she has worked to demystify chiropractic care, emphasizing that a properly aligned spine allows the body to heal itself naturally. To ensure her message reaches a wide audience, she advocates for the use of local languages in health communication, making complex medical concepts accessible to all citizens and encouraging more women to enter specialized healthcare fields.

Beyond physical alignment, Dr. Ashietey is raising alarms regarding the nutritional quality of traditional Ghanaian meals. Speaking on Joy FM’s Personality Profile, she cautioned that the common practice of prolonged cooking often robs food of essential vitamins and minerals. While many Ghanaians consume enough calories to satisfy hunger, she argues that their diets are frequently nutrient-poor because they lack adequate fresh fruits and vegetables. She emphasizes that nutrition should focus on fueling cellular function rather than just filling the stomach, noting that traditional carb-heavy meals often neglect the raw produce necessary for disease prevention.

The broader implication of Dr. Ashietey’s work is a holistic approach to preventive healthcare that combines spinal integrity with conscious eating. By encouraging families to incorporate more fresh produce and reduce cooking times, she believes Ghanaians can significantly improve their long-term health outcomes and quality of life. Her story serves as both a testament to the impact of the Ghanaian diaspora returning home and a roadmap for a healthier nation through education, specialized care, and simple but effective lifestyle changes.