Madam Cynthia Odum Wilson, a Senior Occupational Health Nursing Officer at Sam Jonah Clinic at AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited in Tarkwa, has advised Ghanaians to avoid consuming excessive alcohol.

She said life expectancy in the country is reducing due to increased consumption of alcohol and smoking.

Madam Wilson said this when she delivered a talk at a medical screening exercise by AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem (AAI) Mine for residents of New Tokunaso, one of company’s resettlement communities.

More than 500 residents benefitted from the exercise and the residents were given free medication for various diseases.

Madam Wilson said although malaria is the number disease in the country, hypertension and diabetes are also on the upsurge.

She said certain ailment like hypertension and diabetes are based on one’s lifestyle and called on the public to eat balanced diet, drink a lot of water, have enough rest, exercise regularly and go for routine check-ups to help prevent such ailments.

The Senior Development Officer of the company in-charge of socio-economic development, Mr Enoch Osei, on his part said the health of residents in the company's catchment communities is of paramount importance to management.

He said AAI would continue to provide infrastructure and support education and health activities to enable residents of communities in the area to enjoy an improved standard of living.

Nana Sarkyi Akomea, Chief of New Tokunaso, expressed appreciation to the management of AAI and the medical team for collaborating to bring health closer to the people within the mine’s operational area.