The Ministry of Health has officially launched the 2025 World Physical Activity Day, alongside the 10th anniversary celebration of TNYOU Fitness, a wellness organization dedicated to promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles in Ghana.

Speaking during the event in Accra on April 3, 2025, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, underscored the urgent need to tackle rising levels of physical inactivity and its consequences in Ghana.

“Active Today, Healthy Tomorrow: Empowering Ghanaians Through Physical Activity,” the theme for this year’s event, aligns with our vision of achieving a healthy population for national development,” he stated.

Citing the 2023 Ghana STEPS Report, Alhaji Adam noted that 9.9% of Ghanaians fail to meet the World Health Organization’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.

He highlighted that more women (14.6%) than men (5.5%) fall below the guideline—a gap that The New You Fitness has been actively working to bridge over the past decade.

Alhaji Adam emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to promoting physical activity through policy frameworks such as the National Health Policy, the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Policy, and Ghana’s adoption of the WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity.

He further stressed the need to revise Ghana’s first Physical Activity and Dietary Guidelines, developed in 2013, to reflect current realities and inform future health strategies.

“We cannot do this in silos. Achieving better physical activity outcomes requires the support of all stakeholders: policymakers, development partners, healthcare providers, educators, civil society, fitness professionals, traditional leaders, and the private sector.”

As part of the outlined activities, Alhaji Adam announced that the Ministry, in partnership with TNYOU Fitness, will organize a nationwide health walk dubbed “The Ghana Walk” on May 10, 2025, to raise awareness and encourage regular physical activity among the population.

Hafez Adam Taher, Acting Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry, called for stronger collaboration across sectors to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.

“The factors influencing physical inactivity are multifaceted. Embracing walking and cycling as part of our urban lifestyle can improve not only health but also environmental sustainability and economic productivity,” he said.

Renowned physical activity and sports researcher, Professor Emeritus Reginald Ocansey, also highlighted the cognitive and emotional benefits of exercise.

“There is research proving that individuals who engage in regular physical activity have sharper brains and improved emotional and social well-being,” he said.

Coach Hannah Afi Asumani, popularly known as Coach Hannah of TNYOU Fitness, reiterated the importance of combining exercise with healthy eating habits.

“A healthy diet and exercise are very, very good for the body; they help prolong life and prevent many diseases,” she stated.

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