Koforidua (Ash), Sept.22. GNA- Mr. Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, on Friday urged medical students to remain in Ghana and contribute to national development, after graduation.

He said, "It is a worthy cause to respond to the call to duty by your nation than any material gains."

The advice was contained in a speech read on behalf of the regional minister at the launch of the 28th Annual National Health Week of the Medical Students' Association of the Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology (KNUST), at Koforidua in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District. The week long programme is under the theme "Physical Activity, Diet and Health."

Mr. Owusu-Ansah said the so called greener pastures were becoming brown and there was the need for medical practitioners to remain in the country to work hard to improve the economy. He commended the students for sustaining the annual health week and said the theme for this year's celebration was appropriate since it was the focus of all civilized societies. Mr. owusu-Ansah said the country risked loosing a lot of its professionals and substantial proportion of the workforce because of unhealthy lifestyles.

Professor Kwame Kwafo Adarkwah, Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST, said, "it was important that people pay particular attention to their health and physical body so that they can remain healthy." He observed that the annual week celebration had created good relationship between the students and the people in the communities, and called for the sustenance of the development. Prof. Adarkwah said that the university authorities would support the students to bring health related issues to the door steps of the people.

Prof Enerstina Addy, Senior lecturer at the School of Medical Sciences of the KNUST, appealed to Ghanaians to ensure that they took balanced diets to make them healthy. Mr Thomas Ofori-Donkor, the District Chief Executive, said government was providing the necessary facilities to enhance quality health delivery in the country. He asked the people to take medical advice seriously to improve on their health status.

Mr. Kwaku Obiri Yeboah, president of the association, said as part of the celebration, students would visit various districts in the country to educate the people on health related issues and also offer them free medical care. 22 Sept 07