By Albert Allotey
Accra, April 07, GNA – The Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA) has joined the globe to commemorate the World Physical Activity Day, with a call on stakeholders to actively help to support and create an environment to promote physical activity.
This year’s national theme for the Day was “Active Today, Healthy Tomorrow: Empowering Ghanaians Through Physical Activity,” and it is celebrated globally on April 6, to create awareness on the benefits of physical activity.
Mr Benjamin Anabila, the Director of INSLA who made the call in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the theme was timely and powerful, reminding the public that “Our actions today will impact our tomorrow”.
He explained that the theme underscored the vital connection between participating in regular physical activity today and securing a healthier future for all Ghanaians.
The statement emphasised the need for continuous commitment from all stakeholders including government agencies, policymakers, healthcare providers, educators, community leaders, civil society organisations, the private sector, and individuals to create an environment that actively promotes and supports physical activity.
It mentioned some of the commitments as sustained investment in the development and maintenance of safe and accessible infrastructure for walking, cycling, and other forms of physical activity in both urban and rural settings.
The others were the integration of physical activity promotion into educational curricula, workplace wellness programmes, and community-based initiatives.
The rest were more public awareness campaigns that highlight the numerous benefits of regular exercise and encourage participation across all demographics, and to strengthen collaborations across sectors to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to tackling physical inactivity.
The Institute commended the government for its commitment in establishing a National Recreation Day, which was announced by President John Dramani Mahama during his first State of the Nation Address.
It further applauded the government for its ongoing efforts in promoting health among the citizenry and called for a steadfast commitment to prioritise and implement effective strategies that make physical activity an accessible and enjoyable part of every Ghanaian’s life.
“We at INSLA believe that prioritising and promoting physical activity as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle in Ghana can make significant strides in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), improving the overall health and well-being of its population, and contributing meaningfully to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3).
“We call on all individuals to take ownership of their health and well-being by making conscious choices to include regular physical activity in their daily routines. By being active today, we are collectively investing in a healthier and more prosperous future for Ghana,” it said.
The statement lauded the Ministry of Health for the launch of 2025 World Physical Activity Day alongside the announcement of nationwide walk dubbed “The Ghana Walk,” an initiative in partnership with The New You Fitness.
The walk would take place on May 10, 2025, to create awareness and encourage physical activities amongst the Ghanaian population.
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