Healthy lifestyle should be your priority resolution for this year — CDA CONSULT tells Ghanaians

The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA CONSULT) on Monday urged Ghanaians to make healthy living a topmost priority resolution for this year, stressing that adopting a healthy lifestyle is crucial for reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases and improving public health outcomes.

Mr Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director of CDA CONSULT, noted: “Without healthy living, all other New Year resolutions are meaningless. You can’t pursue your goals, dreams, and aspirations if you’re not healthy enough to do so. A healthy lifestyle should be the foundation upon which all other resolutions are built.”

He added, “Without healthy living, you cannot serve God well; you need to be a healthy person to serve God and enjoy the blessings of God.”

Mr Ameyibor, a holistic health advocate, in an interview identified some dangerous lifestyles, including excessive consumption of sugary and processed foods, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and poor sleep habits and inadequate rest.

He said that ignoring mental health and stress management, “these are among dangerous lifestyles which are detrimental to healthy living. We must consciously avoid them in order to take care of the body.”

To promote healthy living, Mr Ameyibor encouraged Ghanaians to make the following lifestyle changes, including eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or sports.

The CDA Consult Executive Director also encouraged people to practise stress-reducing techniques, get adequate sleep and prioritise rest, limit screen time and sedentary activities, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Others include incorporating regular massage therapy to relax muscles, improve circulation, and reduce stress, and making time for regular meditation, reading of God’s word, prayer, and fasting to nourish your spirit and soul.

Mr Ameyibor emphasised the importance of spiritual nourishment in maintaining overall well-being. “A healthy lifestyle is not just about physical health; it’s also about spiritual health.”

He stressed that regular meditation, reading of God’s word, prayer, and fasting can help reduce stress and anxiety, increase sense of purpose and meaning, improve mental clarity and focus, enhance emotional well-being, and foster a sense of community and connection with others.

CDA CONSULT, which is a member of the Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations in Health, is working to promote healthy living through various initiatives, including the Cervical Cancer Prevention Change Paradigm Advocacy Campaign, which aims to improve public knowledge, dispel myths about cervical cancer screening and immunisation, and encourage mass participation in prevention efforts.

CDA CONSULT, also working with health professionals, are promoting holistic health and encouraging regular visits to health facilities not only when people are sick but also when they are healthy.

Mr Ameyibor urged Ghanaians to take control of their health by prioritising regular check-ups and screenings, embracing healthier lifestyles, including balanced nutrition and regular exercise, and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting health and well-being in communities.

He also urged people to make healthy living a non-negotiable part of their daily lives, scheduling regular massage therapy sessions to prioritise their physical health, and setting aside time for meditation, reading of God’s word, prayer, and fasting to nourish their spirit and soul, which will transform both your mental and physical health.

“Let’s make 2026 a year of prioritising our health and well-being,” Ameyibor said. “A healthy Ghana is a prosperous Ghana.”

Mr Ameyibor also emphasised the need for Ghanaians to accelerate efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Three (SDG 3), which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.