PATH Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana National Olympics Committee, World Health Organisation (WHO), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Education Service (GES), National Sports Authority (NSA), and the Afigya Kwabre South District Assembly, has launched a vigorous campaign to promote regular physical exercise as a means to combat Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
The initiative, aimed at addressing the 45% of deaths attributed to NCDs in the country, kicked off at Afrancho in the Afigya Kwabre South District.
Keep-fit clubs like Onuado Fun Club and Moving City Hotel Fun Club participated in a lively morning of aerobics and endurance cardio sessions.
The campaign, which also seeks to drive social and behavioural change, will be replicated across districts with active engagement from professional bodies and key stakeholders. The goal is to foster positive health attitudes that encourage regular exercise.
Mr. Asokwa Akomeah David, the Afigya Kwabre South District Education Director, highlighted the consequences of inactive lifestyles, stating: “Unhealthy lifestyle modifications are threatening the general health and productivity of the population.
“Because of our inactivity, we are prone to many conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and stroke.”
He further emphasised PATH Ghana’s commitment to promoting physical activity in the community: “PATH Ghana is working with the International Olympics Committee and the Ghana Olympics Committee.
From now to 2025, we will be supporting districts like this one to engage in such activities, creating advocacy around sports and health within schools and communities so that people understand the benefits of physical activity.”
Global statistics show that 1 in 4 adults and 81% of adolescents do not get enough physical activity. As technological advances and sedentary lifestyles increase, the number of inactive individuals is projected to rise, making physical exercise even more essential.
Madam Naseeba Yahaya, the Afigya Kwabre South District Sports Development Officer, expressed concern about the dangers of physical inactivity: “Lack of physical activity could worsen the already alarming fatalities from non-communicable diseases if urgent lifestyle changes are not made.”
The participating keep-fit clubs echoed the call for communities to get involved in regular exercise, stressing that safeguarding health through physical activity is crucial to fighting the rise of NCDs.
Nana Yaw Owusu/Ashanti Region
