Dr Sampson B. Ofori of the Koforidua Regional Hospital has advised Ghanaians to relax over the December 7 general election and leave any challenges associated with it to the political leaders to resolve.

He said many people visiting the hospital after the elections had problems associated with high blood pressure, and advised all to take rest and relax to protect their health.

Dr Ofori was giving a health talk at the end-of-year get-together of the New Juaben Municipal branch of Ghana Government Pensioners Association in Koforidua on Tuesday.

The theme for the celebration was “ageing beautifully”.

He explained that many of the health problems associated with aging were normal but one could effectively manage them through physical exercise, good dieting, drinking of sufficient water and resting.

Dr Ofori advised the aged to reduce their salt intake and eat a lot of vegetables and fruits.

He said the life expectancy of the country had improved from an average of 58 years to over 61 years and called on the government to come out with effective policy to take care of the aged because their number in the country was bound to increase.

In a speech read on his behalf, the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Alex Asamoah, called on the youth to take care of the elderly in their families because in future they would also find themselves in such conditions.

Mrs Obeng Yeboah of the New Juaben Retired Teachers Association, advised pensioners to think of themselves and stop thinking about their grand and great grand children to reduce stress and stay healthy.

Mr Agyei Twum, the New Juaben Municipal Chairman of the Ghana Government Pensioners Association, said the Association which was established in 1982, now had over 1,522 members.

He said out of its meager resources, the Association had paid over GHc7,800 as compensation to relatives of their dead colleagues.

He expressed the appreciation of the Association to various institutions and individuals who supported them to organize the programme.

Mr Martin Yaw Debrah who chaired the function, advised pensioners against late night eating and excessive drinking.

He called on the banks to grant loans to pensioners and give them preferential treatment when they go there to collect their pensions.