Mampong-Ashanti, Nov. 27, GNA - Dr Emmanuel Ahiable, Medical Superintendent of Mampong-Ashanti Government Hospital, has called on employers to make annual leave compulsory for their workers to reduce stress related health problems.

He noted that work related stress could lead to frequent illness, problems related to concentration at the work place, sleeping and eating; high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety and depression. =93Stress could be bad for both the physical and mental health of any individual and affect the productivity of workers, it is therefore important for workers to go on annual leave, 93he added.

Dr Ahiable was speaking on 93Stress Management=94 as part of the programme for this year's Catechists Conference of Sekyere Presbytery of Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) at Mampong-Ashanti. The three-day conference under the theme, 93Go ye therefore to the World and make them Disciples of Me=94, was attended by 50 participants from the Presbytery.

Dr Ahiable said to reduce stress; people must not participate or undertake work or issues beyond their capabilities, adding 93If there are things at home or at the work place beyond your capabilities avoid them.=94

He urged church leaders to learn to forgive, have time to rest and reflect on situations that might be beneficial to their congregations and communities.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency later, Reverend Thomas Boakye, Sekyere Presbytery Chairman of PCG, said the theme was chosen because the Church had realized that it was important for its leaders to leave exemplary lives worthy of emulation. He said it was important for Catechists to share the faith through visits to members of their communities and in addition, show interest in the total well being of their congregation.