The Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH Ghana), with its collaborators Ghana Olympics Committee (GOC) representing the International Olympics Committee, has commenced its campaigns on the need for regular physical exercises to reduce the effects of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
The campaign which enjoys the collaboration of the Ghana Health Service is geared towards supporting the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), responsible for some 45% of deaths in the country.
It coincides with events slated to celebrate World Olympics Day marked annually on the 23rd of June to remember the founding of the International Olympic Community (IOC) in 1894.
The event held in the Suame Municipality witnessed keep-fit clubs join in a morning of energetic aerobics and endurance cardio training sessions.
The social and behavioral change campaign which will be replicated in schools, religious organizations, and professional bodies aims at engendering positive health attitudes towards regular physical exercise.
Dr. Robert Yeboah, Technical Director in charge of Non-Communicable Diseases with PATH noted that unhealthy lifestyle modifications are threatening the general health and productivity of the population.
He told GHOne News, “Because of our inactivity, we are prone to many conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease, stroke and the like. Many of us have sedentary lifestyles sitting in one place for so many hours and hardly exercising,”
Shedding light on their activities slated from June 2024 to December 2025, He outlined, “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 be doing such activities.
“We will be creating advocacy and awareness around sports and health within schools, within our communities, and other health talks so that people understand the benefits of physical activity,”
Current global estimates show that 1 in 4 adults and 81% of adolescents do not do enough physical activity.
As the world develops; the number of inactive persons is projected to increase with the excessive use of technology, reduced recreation; ease of transportation, and sedentary lifestyles.
Dr Robert Yeboah expressed fear this could exacerbate the already worrisome fatalities recorded from non-communicable diseases if urgent lifestyle changes are not adopted.
Keep fit clubs that joined the exercise at Kronom Afrantso in the Suame Municipality reiterated the need for communities to join the drive to keep healthy while safeguarding their health against NCDs.
This year’s celebration marked on the theme, “Let’s Move and Celebrate,” is particularly significant as it coincides with an Olympic year, with the upcoming Games being hosted in France, the homeland of the founder of modern Olympics – Pierre de Coubertin,
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
