An estimated 40 to 50 percent of Ghanaian adults are at risk of developing High Blood Pressure, also known as Hypertension, Alhaji Ibrahim Yahaya, Principal Physician Assistant at Elmina Health Centre, has said.

He stated that Hypertension, when not managed properly can lead to stroke, kidney failure heart attack, and other related diseases, and therefore underscored the need for Ghanaians to practise healthy lifestyle habits, to prevent or reduce the risk.

Alhaji Yahaya was speaking on the topic: “Diet-Related Diseases Among People Above Forty Years,” at the inauguration of an Aerobics Club, established by residents of the Social Security and National Investment Trust (SSNIT) Flats at Elmina over the weekend.

The “Elmina SSNIT Flat Aerobics Club,” established three months ago, by a group of residents with seven members, currently has more than 35 members, including four core executives and five patrons.

It has Mr. David Asamoah as Chairman, Mr. Sampson Ahianyo as Vice Chairman, Mrs. Cynthia Ahianyo, as Secretary and Mr. Kofi Sakyiama Pobi, the brain behind the club, as the Coordinator.

Alhaji Yahaya enumerated risk factors of Hypertension to include heredity, obesity, stress, consumption of sodium and fatty foods and stressed the need to exercise regularly, drink a lot of water, and eat more fruits and vegetable and healthy diet, in order to reduce the risk.

He said exercise, though ignored by many people it contributed to the prevention of many diseases and commended residents of the flats for creating the chance for people to regularly exercise and observe healthy habits.

Inaugurating the club, Mr. Isaac Kweku Sam, the Municipal Chief Executive of Komenda- Edina- Eguafo- Abrem (KEEA) Assemly stressed the importance of regular aerobic exercises, healthy diet and lifestyle to help stay mentally alert and prevent several diseases.

However, he noted, environmental cleanliness was key to good health and fitness and called on Ghanaians to actively participate in the National Sanitation Day Campaign, observed on every first Saturday of each month.

He urged members to be focused on their objectives, remain united as a group, and also embark on charitable programmes that would give relief to the deprived and under privileged in society.

Mr. Pobi, Coordinator and brain behind the club, said it was established after they had observed there was no such association in within the flats, to promote the health of residents, adding that it was neither religious, political nor tribal.

He said aside aerobics, the club had a vision to affect the life of people by lending a helping hand to them, and that in furtherance of this vision, a number of programmes would soon be rolled out and implemented.

Mr. Pobi bemoaned the sanitary condition of the municipality, and the lack of communal spirit, and stressed the need for all residents to rekindle such spirit, to ensure the development of the municipality.

He appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to ensure that newly developing communities had recreational facilities where children could play and adults exercise, and commended members for their commitment and expressed optimism that more residents of the SSNIT flats would join the club.

Dr. Stephen Nana Ato Arthur, Member of Parliament for the KEEA Municipality, lauded members of the club for the initiative and charged them not to concentrate only on exercise, but contribute to the development of the municipality.