The Suhum Ayekotsehene, Barima Dr. Nene Ayekotse Teinor II, has called on Ghanaians to embrace regular walking as a lifestyle to promote healthy living, community unity and national development.

He made the appeal during the 2026 Akwantu Festival Walk With the Stars at Ayekotse in the Suhum Municipality of the Eastern Region, where hundreds of residents joined the exercise ahead of the annual festival.

The streets of Ayekotse came alive with music, singing and dancing as traditional leaders, residents and sympathisers took part in the health walk. Leading the exercise, the Suhum Ayekotsehene, Barima Dr. Nene Ayekotse Teinor II, described walking as more than just a form of physical exercise, saying it is an important discipline that promotes healthy living and strengthens the human body and spirit.

He said God created mankind to remain active and productive, stressing that an inactive lifestyle could undermine people's health. Barima Dr. Nene noted that regular walking helps reduce the risk of illnesses and contributes to a longer and healthier life.



He therefore encouraged people of all ages to incorporate walking into their daily routines, whether individually, with family members or through organised community exercises. The chief also called on communities, schools and workplaces to organise regular health walks to encourage collective participation.



He further emphasised that promoting a culture of physical activity was not only beneficial to individual health but also essential to national development. According to him, a healthy population is better positioned to contribute meaningfully to the country's development.





Some participants who joined the exercise also shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity and community participation in promoting good health.