At Afigya Kwabre South District in Kumasi, PATH, the Ghana National Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee through its Olympism365 program, commemorated the International Olympic Day.
PATH, which is a global non-profit dedicated to achieving health equity, with more than 40 years of experience in forging multisector partnerships, and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.
This is part of the Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative which focuses on the role of community sport in promoting healthy lives and achieveing the WHO target of 15% relative reduction in the global prevalence of physical inactivity.
With the theme, “Lets move to advocate for increased physical activity and contribute to the reduction of non-communicable diseases in Ghana.”
Speaking with Dr Robert Yeboah, Senior Technical Advisor, Non-Communicable Disease,PATH Ghana, he said that this year’s theme is aiming to inspire people around various communities to make time for daily physical activity.
“This program implemented by PATH in Ghana will serve as the delivery lead for the Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative, which will focus on the role of community sport in promoting healthy lives and achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) target of a 15 percent relative reduction in the global prevalence of physical inactivity,” he said.
Dr. Robert added that the program will also help to reduce non communicable which continues to burden health systems, with insufficiently active individuals facing a 20% to 30% increased risk of premature death.
He added,”With regular physical activity helping to prevent noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle cannot be over-emphasized.
“Research has shown that just 30 minutes of physical activity or exercise a day has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds.”
According to the WHO, in Ghana, 22% of adults aged 18 years and above and 81% of adolescents are not physically active.
Physical inactivity is one of the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and some cancers.
The program featured groups such as the Moving City Fun Club, Onuado Fun, Sunday Special Fitness groups, and others from the Afigya Kwabre District who graced the occasion.
Nana Yaw Owusu/Ashanti Region.
