The Youth and Sports Ministry has officially launched "National Fitness Day", an initiative in response to the call by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for a day to be set aside to promote exercise and fitness among Ghanaians.
The launch happened at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, August 19, 2022.
The Vice President has encouraged Ghanaians to take their health seriously and in view of his admonition, the National Fitness Day will commemorate each month to fulfil this call.
Addressing an audience during the launch, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif recounted the benefits of the day.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that about 60 per cent of the world's population fails to complete the recommended amount of physical activity required for healthy lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyles appear to be increasingly widespread in many nations despite being linked to a range of chronic health conditions. Leading a sedentary lifestyle is becoming a significant public health issue.
"Physical inactivity levels are rising in many countries with major health complications particularly the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Physical inactivity has been identified as one of the leading risk factors for global mortality. It is estimated that physical inactivity accounts for approximately 21 to 25 per cent of breast and colon cancers, 27 percent of diabetes and 30 per cent of ischemic heart disease globally", he explained.
He added; "It is recommended that adults should be getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. There is therefore the need for individual behaviour change to reduce the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles."
The Minister therefore noted that the National Fitness Day will be used to "create awareness about fitness and health issues, promote good community relations among residents of various communities and promote community sports and recreation" among other benefits.
The maiden edition of the National Fitness Day shall commenced on Saturday, September 10, 2022 in Accra.
Full Speech
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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