GMA wellness walk draws hundreds in Kumasi

Doctors, healthcare professionals, government officials, and fitness enthusiasts filled the streets of Kumasi on Saturday for the Ashanti Division of the Ghana Medical Association's (GMA) annual Wellness Walk. The 10-kilometer event aimed to promote healthy living and preventive healthcare, drawing a diverse crowd in a vibrant display of unity and fitness.

“

The dignitaries underscored the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, stressing that regular physical activity remains one of the most effective ways of preventing these conditions.

Kicking off at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the walk saw participation from key figures including the President of the Ghana Medical Association, Prof. Ernest Yorke, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene. Directors from the Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service and members of the Junior Doctors Association of Ghana also joined, underscoring the collective commitment to public health.

Dignitaries addressed the participants, highlighting the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. They stressed that regular physical activity is one of the most effective strategies for preventing these conditions. The Wellness Walk is part of the Ashanti Division's ongoing efforts to encourage both medical professionals and the public to embrace healthier lifestyles, with healthcare workers encouraged to serve as role models.

“

Participants described the event as both refreshing and inspiring, noting that it provided an opportunity to strengthen professional bonds while highlighting the importance of maintaining physical and mental well-being amidst the demanding nature of medical practice.

Participants found the event both refreshing and inspiring, noting it as an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships while emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining physical and mental well-being amidst the demanding nature of medical practice. Leaders from the Ashanti Division expressed their gratitude to all involved, deeming the high participation from busy medical professionals as admirable and a positive start toward prioritizing disease prevention through healthy living. The GMA intends to establish the Wellness Walk as a flagship annual event, aiming to expand its reach across the Ashanti Region and beyond, with the ultimate goal of reducing the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and cultivating a healthier populace.

“

They noted that the participation by doctors, known to be one of the busiest cadre of workers, was admirable and a good start and reflected the collective determination of healthcare professionals, government, and the public to place greater emphasis on disease prevention through healthy living.