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PATH, in collaboration with partners like the Ghana National Olympic Committee, International Olympic Committee, Ghana Health Service, National Sports Authority, Ghana Education Service, and the Afigya Kwabre South District Assembly, joined Ghana’s National Fitness Day in Afrancho to encourage physical activity and healthy living.
The event, held as part of the Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative, positions Afigya Kwabre South District as a model for this groundbreaking programme. Ghana is one of five nations implementing this initiative, which seeks to bridge the sports, health, and other sectors by fostering co-created, sports-based community programmes.
PATH leads the initiative in Ghana, aiming to boost community engagement in organised sports while promoting health and wellness, aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to reduce global physical inactivity by 15%.
Launched in August 2022, Ghana’s National Fitness Day occurs every second Saturday of the month. It encourages Ghanaians to incorporate physical activity into their lives, underscoring exercise’s role in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease and diabetes.
Research shows that just 30 minutes of daily physical activity can significantly improve cardiovascular health, body function, and mental well-being. However, physical inactivity remains a global health challenge, with inactive individuals facing a 30% higher risk of premature death.
Miss Nasiba Yarya, the National Sports Authority representative in Afigya Kwabre South District, highlighted the benefits of regular physical activity on public health. “Promoting physical activity is crucial for preventing NCDs, enhancing well-being, mental health, cognitive skills, and overall health,” she said.
Miss Yarya also noted that the district has seen positive changes among participants in the exercise initiative, with many residents becoming more active at home. “People are now exercising in their homes,” she said, encouraging other districts to adopt similar programmes to boost local fitness and wellness.
Dubbed “Walk to Shake Off Non-Communicable Diseases,” the fitness event brought together fitness clubs, schools, and other groups who paraded through Afrancho’s main streets to promote active living and healthy habits.
Mr. George Asamoah, a sports teacher at Akrofrom D/A JHS, expressed appreciation for the fitness day activities, which he said have benefited his students. “This exercise has really helped my students,” he explained, noting fewer illnesses and better academic performance among them. “A healthy student can learn well,” he emphasised, calling for increased government support for physical education in schools.
According to WHO, 22% of adults and 81% of adolescents in Ghana are not physically active, with inactivity posing significant risks for NCDs such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes, and some cancers.
With support from PATH and local organisations, the National Fitness Day initiative seeks to reverse these trends by cultivating a culture of physical activity in Ghana. The Afrancho event highlighted how community-based programmes can drive awareness and promote a healthier future for all.
