Accra, July 26, GNA - A health and fitness magazine was on Thursday launched to serve as a guide for people to live healthier and prolong their lives.

The Magazine, "Africa Alive" aims at increasing the life expectancy of Ghanaians, which is now 58 year as well as their quality of life. Launching the Magazine on behalf of the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd), Dr Edward Addai, Director of Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry said the new health Policy emphasised health promotion and the prevention of ill health.

The premier issue has 44 pages and addresses the issues of nutrition, diabetes prevention, men's health, women's health, children's health, fitness, and explains how to help save lives.

Dr Addai noted that Ghana was confronted with serious health challenges such as obesity, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and various forms of cancers, which were on the increase.

"We know the bulk of the disease burden of the country is associated with neglect of basic environmental practices, poor dietary habits, physical inactivity and the adoption of life threatening behaviour". He said the Ministry had started a Regenerative Health and Nutrition Project to provide the leadership in the management of the change processes that were currently being introduced and successfully piloted in the regions.

The project has the messages of people having regular exercises, drinking at least eight glasses of water a day, regular eating of fruits and vegetables, eating of foods that are free from fats, sugar, contaminants and having time to rest.

Dr Addai hoped the magazine would have various segments to satisfy all age groups and be gender sensitive adding, "All of us simply need good health to be able to work, produce and enjoy life as individuals, families, communities and as a nation".

Dr Ann Bannerman-Richter, Editor in Chief of the Magazine said she was depressed by learning of the life expectancy of Ghanaains, whilst that of the United States was 75-80 years.

She said the magazine was a longevity project, which she planned to extend to the rest of Africa and hoped to increase the awareness on health issues and basic things that could be done to prevent diseases and promote long life.

"In a country in which most people pride themselves on being religious and grateful to their creator, we might want to consider that taking good care of our health may be the best thanks we can give to God for the gift of life," she said.

The first copy of the Magazine was auctioned at GH=A2 1,000. 26 July 07 =