By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, April 20, GNA – The Service Excellence Foundation-Ghana (SEF-Ghana) has launched a workplace wellness initiative aimed at addressing rising hypertension cases and improving productivity through healthier workforce practices.
Launched in partnership with the Alliance for Tourism, Health and Wellness Professionals Network (ATHWPN), the Sunday Pulse and Wellness Calabash Hangout Series seek to integrate health and wellness into Ghana’s workplace culture.
The initiative was unveiled at a high-level webinar on “Understanding the Risk Factors and Managing Hypertension in Today’s Workforce,” which examined the growing burden of hypertension, commonly referred to as the “silent killer,” and its impact on productivity across sectors.
Dr. Wilhelmina Ennin, a physician specialist and Cardio FIT practitioner at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said many professionals were living with undiagnosed or poorly managed hypertension due to irregular health checks.
“Hypertension often shows no warning signs until it becomes severe. What we found is that even well-informed professionals are not taking routine health checks seriously,” she said.
Dr. Ennin stressed that early detection, lifestyle discipline, regular screening, improved nutrition, and stress management were critical to reducing risk.
Mr. Caleb Kofie, Convener of the initiative and Executive Director of SEF-Ghana, said the programme responds to a widening gap between health awareness and action among workers.
“People are working harder than ever, but their health is paying the price. We created this platform to spark real conversations that lead to lifestyle change, especially in high-pressure work environments,” he said.
Mr. Kofie said the “Calabash Hangout” concept draws on African traditions of shared dialogue and community wisdom, adapted into a structured wellness engagement platform.
“The model blends cultural symbolism with expert-led discussions, creating an inclusive space where complex health issues are simplified and made actionable,” he said.
The webinar brought together participants from Ghana and other African countries across the healthcare, tourism, corporate services and public sectors, reflecting growing concern over workplace health and wellness.
Mr. Kofie said limited awareness of personal health status, particularly blood pressure levels, remains a challenge, adding that workplace wellness must be central to productivity.
“A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. If we want to deliver quality service across sectors, we must first invest in the well-being of our people,” he stated.
Mr. Kofie said the initiative would move beyond dialogue into practical interventions, including workplace health screenings, corporate wellness programmes and community outreach activities.
“ATHWPN plans to expand the series into on-the-ground activities, including corporate wellness programs, health screenings, and community outreach campaigns,” he said.
Planned interventions include the Monthly Calabash Health Walk, Health and Business Connect Hub, and a Wellness Travel Retreat aimed at promoting sustained lifestyle change and professional engagement.
Mr. Kofie said the initiative would also support policy advocacy to integrate workplace wellness into national development priorities.
“We are looking at long-term impact. Shifting culture, influencing policy, and ensuring preventive health becomes part of everyday work life,” he said.
Future sessions of the series will focus on mental health, nutrition, and physical activity as part of a broader preventive health agenda.
Mr. Kofie urged professionals to take responsibility for their health, saying, “Know your numbers. Check your blood pressure regularly. Small, consistent actions can save lives.”
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey