By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, Oct. 26, GNA – The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) has commissioned a Wellness Centre to promote preventive health and enhance productivity among its staff.
The facility, located within the premises of the Coordinating Council, aims to provide regular health screening, counseling, and health education services for employees while fostering a culture of prevention rather than treatment.
Madam Linda Ocloo, the Regional Minister, who commissioned the facility on Thursday, said it represented a direct investment in the most valuable asset of the regional coordinating council.
The initiative aligned with the Ministry of Health’s broader vision of ensuring that all Ghanaians attain the highest level of health and the Ghana Health Service’s commitment to integrating wellness into the country’s public health agenda.
“This is not just another space, but an investment in the people who keep the engine of our region running,” she said.
The Minister noted the unique challenges that life in the capital city came with, notably the long hours in traffic, economic pressures, and tight work schedules, all of which predisposed workers to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
“NCDs are silent killers that often go unnoticed until they lead to devastating complications, with impacts that extends beyond individuals to the productivity of the entire public sector,” she said.
“When a dedicated staff member is absent frequently due to illness, when a brilliant mind is slowed by a preventable health complication, our entire machinery suffers. The cost of absenteeism and presenteeism is one we can no longer afford.”
Madam Ocloo said the Wellness Centre would help staff take charge of their health through regular medical check-ups, stress management, and access to professional counselling and health education.
“The government can provide the facility, but the power to use it lies in your hands. Do not wait for a health scare to force you into action. A simple two-minute blood pressure check today could prevent a catastrophic stroke tomorrow,” she emphasised.
The minister entreated the employees to make use of the centre and help build a healthier, stronger, and more productive workforce for the Greater Accra Region.
Dr Robert Amesiya, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, commended the Regional Minister for her leadership and foresight in prioritising staff wellness.
“The establishment of this wellness centre is a demonstration of good leadership by the GARCC, one that we hope other institutions will emulate,” he stated.
Dr Amesiya said the services offered by the centre such as preventive care, medical screening, counselling, and lifestyle improvement programmes were crucial to addressing the growing burden of NCDs among the working population.
He assured the Regional Minister of the Ghana Health Service’s continuous support to ensure the facility remained functional and effective.
The GARCC Wellness Centre is expected to serve as a model for workplace health promotion initiatives across public institutions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its workforce as a means of driving development.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
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