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The “Heart Walk Accra 2023” – meant to create public awareness by bringing police makers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and partners civil society to fight against heart disease, stroke and associated risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, was held in Accra on Sunday.
It was organised by the Global Heart Care in conjunction with German Heart Centre in Berlin, World Health Summit, and local partners El-Wak keep Fit Club, as well as other members of the Association of Greater Accra Keep Fit Clubs.
The participants, involving the young, elderly and children went through aerobics and undertook an-hour walk in the East Cantonment neighbourhood, from the Olives Gardens through the African Union Village, Ghana Free Zones Authority, the US Embassy and back to the Olive Gardens where they socialised.
Among them were Prof. Charles Yankah, Co-Founder of German Heart Centre Berlin, Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, Professor Alfred E. Yawson; Board Chair of Exim Bank, Kwadwo Genfi Boateng; Mrs Menaye Donkor Sulley Muntari, former Member of Parliament for Obuasi East Edward Ennin, some retired diplomats, some members of the diplomatic corps, public servants.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Times, Dr Nsiah-Asare encouraged Ghanaians to inculcate the habit of walking, saying that “walking between 45 and 60 minutes keeps one healthy; it flushes your blood vessels, distresses you, clears and refreshes your mind to be more productive.”
He commended Prof Yankah, a Ghanaian Professor of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Specialist based in Germany for initiating the health walk to raise awareness on cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Nsiah-Asare noted with concern the burden of non-communicable diseases in the country and acknowledged Prof Yankah’s contribution to the training of cardiologists for the teaching hospitals, adding that “we hope it will cascade to the regional hospitals to help bring heart healthcare closer to the people.”
He also expressed concern about children born with congenital disorders, expressing the hope that with the training of more professionals, “they will help in early diagnoses and treatment of the disease.”
The Presidential Advisor on Health said as a follow-up on the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” the government was encouraging Ghanaian health professionals in the diaspora to come home and support Ghana’s quest for quality Universal Health Coverage to be attained by 2030.
Addressing the participants, Prof. Yankah commended them for the turn-out and stressed the need for regular exercising to stay healthy and fit by helping one “to burn calories, reduce cholesterol and enhance metabolism.”
The Chairman of El-Wak Keep Fit Club, Emmanuel Tettey Adamitey, also stressed the need to engage regular exercising to stay healthy and commended the Global Health Care for the partnership to create public awareness of cardiovascular diseases and prevention.
The Member of Parliament for Dade Kotonpon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, earlier addressed the participants and pledged her support for the programme.
BY SALIFU ABDUL-RAHAMAN
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