Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Accra, Ghana - iThrive Ghana, a health and wellness initiative, will hold a free community health event dubbed “Walk For Life” this Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Legon. The event starts at 6:00 AM and is open to the public.
The initiative comes as Ghana faces what experts describe as a rapid epidemic of overweight and obesity, now among the leading drivers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
Themed “Move More, Eat Better, Live Healthier,” Walk For Life is designed to promote small, consistent lifestyle changes around physical activity and nutrition. The day’s activities will include a 5km health walk, group fitness sessions, nutrition and health talks, fun games, and a local food demonstration.
According to iThrive Ghana, the goal is not just to get people moving for a morning but to shift mindsets on long-term health. “Together, these activities are designed to show Ghanaians that the right movement and nutrition can have profound effects on long-term health,” organizers said.
Prof. Richmond Aryeetey, Lead Convener of iThrive Ghana, described the current obesity trend as a national emergency that requires urgent action.
“Ghana is facing a health emergency we can no longer afford to ignore. Overweight and obesity are no longer diseases of affluence. They are now a Ghanaian reality cutting across all communities, all incomes, and all ages,” Prof. Aryeetey said.
“Walk For Life is our call to action. We are asking Ghanaians to literally take a step together toward a healthier future. This is just the beginning.”
National data show a steep rise in overweight prevalence across urban and peri-urban populations, with disproportionate impact on women. iThrive Ghana noted that diet-related NCDs are driving up health system costs and undermining national productivity at a time when healthcare financing is already severely strained.
Despite the scale of the crisis, the group said prevention and public awareness remain critically under-prioritized. The campaign draws on a growing body of research on Ghana’s obesity burden, including collaborative work between the University of Ghana and the University of Sheffield that underscores the economic, social, and health costs of inaction.
iThrive Ghana believes meaningful change requires moving urgently from awareness to action and that communities themselves must be at the center of that action.
Walk For Life is supported by Blue Skies, Special Ice, MyHealthCop, PlayField, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Food Movement, University of Ghana, TNYOU, and NCD Alliance. The organizations share iThrive Ghana’s conviction that a healthier Ghana is possible through community-driven prevention.
