Conference on physical education opens in July

One significant lesson that could be learnt from the findings of a Ghana Health Service (GHS) study conducted in the Greater Accra Region is the problem that one could go through when one fails to engage in physical exercises.
The study revealed that 56 per cent of adults with three or more risk factors suffer from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These risk factors, according to the researchers, include tobacco use, alcohol intake, low intake of fruits and vegetables, lack of exercise, overweight or obesity and raised blood pressure.
Non-communicable diseases are mostly chronic diseases including stroke, diabetes, hypertension and cancers. They are not infectious or communicable.
At a seminar to disseminate the findings of the study which was on ‘‘Risk Factors for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in the Greater Accra Region”, it also came out that about 37 per cent of adults between ages 25 and 64 in the region were likely to have hypertension. About 4.5 per cent more also suffer from diabetes.
To avoid that situation, there is the need for Ghanaians of all ages to find time to exercise regularly to protect the body from any of these health conditions.
The first ever Ghana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sports conference which will take place in Accra between July 29 and July 31, 2010 has the objective of solving some of these problem.
The conference is on the theme: “New Directions in Physical Education and Sports” and its purpose is to consolidate the ongoing discussions on strategies for shaping new directions for physical activity and sports in the country.
It is also to forge new directions and standards for practices in physical activity, to open new doors for planning to achieve health-enhancing and physically active lifestyles in children and the youth.
Another objective of the conference is to pave the way for practitioners to use physical activity in a developmentally appropriate manner to develop regular-exercising habits in children and the youth.
It is also to help administrators and practitioners to distinguish the relationship between school physical education and school sports.
In addition, the conference has the objective to; plan purpose-driven physical education experiences for children and the youth; come out with the ability to plan and implement authentic sports programmes in schools; support national sports endeavours using standards to develop active lifestyles in children, the youth and adults.
To achieve the desired objectives, the event organisers has engaged the services of experts on various topics for the benefit of participants.
Some of the topics to be treated are: Expectations for Physical Activity which would be handled by the Coordinator; Ghana Physical Education and Sport Thinktank, Professor Reginald T. Ocansey and the Minister for Youth and Sports, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, will touch on expectations for sports and health fitness.
Other topics are: National Sports Bill: Implications for sports and physical activity development- A framework for the development of a national sports bill to be handled by Dr J. A. Baba of the University of Education, Winneba.
To have meaningful discussions, discussants at the conference will include Dr Owusu Ansah (representing University Sports), Dr Douglas Djarbeng (representing Sports Clubs) Dr Deborah Cubagee (representing Womens' Sports), Mr O. B. Amoah (representing Parliament), as well as Ms Elizabeth King who will represent the security services.
Others are: Developing and promoting active lifestyles for national development; the role of active lifestyles in healthy living and national development by Dr. Joseph Ogah of University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast.
Discussants for the topics will be Ms Bridget Dzogbenuku (representing Fitness Clubs), Mr Anang (representing Ministry of Education: PE Division) and the Deputy Minister for Youth & Sports, Nii Lamptey Dua (representing the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr Elias K. Sory is expected to make a statement at the conference.