The Ministry of Health (MoH) in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) have organized a two-day national workshop to disseminate the WHO Health and Economic Assessment tool (HEAT) report last week in Accra.
The workshop aimed to promote active mobility, specifically walking and cycling, demonstrating the health, economic and environmental benefits of these modes of transport, and disseminate the findings and build capacity and partnership of the HEAT in Ghana.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam in a speech read on his behalf by the Technical Coordination Director of the Ministry, Dr Baffour Awuah, reiterated the ministry’ s commitment to combating NCDs through a multifaceted approach.
He said the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policy and strategy along with legislative measures like the Public Health Act targeted major risks factors such as tobacco, alcohol and physical inactivity, to reduce heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cancer, while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
He said regular physical activity is a protective factor for the prevention and treatment of NCDs such as heart disease, breast and colon cancers, hypertension, obesity and overweight.
The Mayor of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Sule Salifu, who was represented by the Coordinating Director of the Assembly, Abdulahi Mohammed highlighted the need to incorporate exercise into daily routines emphasizing its role in reducing chronic diseases and boosting the immune system.
He expressed optimism that the workshop marked the beginning of transforming the country into a beacon of progress and vitality.
The Programme Officer for WHO Ghana office, Dr Joanna Ansong, highlighted that the surge in motor vehicles in low-and middle -income countries is as a result of rapid economic growth and unplanned urbanization.
She said the policies aimed at improving road safety measures and prioritizing secured, comfortable infrastructure for walking and cycling in reducing personal motorized transportation, particularly for short trips, carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
