Group photo of some of the organizers of the Joy FM Sugar Project
Close to two thousand (2000) residents of the fanteakwa district have been screened for diabetes.
The three day exercise also involved sensitization and education of the residents on diabetes-related issues. They were also screened for hypertension and obesity whiles glucometers were donated to known diabetics.
The annual exercise which has become known as the “Joy FM Sugar Project” is a collaboration between Joy FM, Rotary Club and Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA).
At the grand durbar held at Begoro; the district capital, District Chief Executive of the area Charles Oware-Tweneboah who chaired the occasion was excited that his District was chosen for the project and advised the people to take advantage of the healthcare delivery system in the district to safeguard their health.
President of the Rotary Club of Accra-Airport; Afua Ababio who was happy about the success of the programme also promised that her club will continue to support the Sugar Project to cover the whole of the country.
For his part, the Ashanti regional coordinator of the MPA; Eric Akosa explained that the MPA is focused on championing Universal Health Coverage by helping extend healthcare delivery to all people irrespective of their social status, location, gender, creed or age.
Joy FM’s Kojo Yankson who is a known diabetic is also the originator of the Joy FM Sugar Project. He expressed his pride that the project
Kojo Yankson; originator of the Joy FM Sugar Project
is helping many Ghanaians know their health status as far as their sugar levels are concerned. He said his life was saved because he got to know his status early and stuck to the advice of his doctors and encouraged others to do same.
He also urged Ghanaians to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating right, doing exercises, avoiding alcoholism, smoking and reducing intake of foods that produces much sugar. Mr. Kojo Yankson praised the Accra Airport Rotary club especially Prof. Hagan for linking up Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA) to the Sugar Project. He commended MPA’s impact on the project.
Dr. Armel Abou, the District Director of Health of Health also explained how diabetes comes about. He said if insulin fails to do its work in the body by trashing out excess sugar in the system, diabetes occurs. He said diabetes can be likened to a waste management company that fails to pick accumulated waste for disposal. He cautioned that the more one keeps compounding sugar in the system while insulin supply is inadequate the problem worsens. He also noted that diabetes can be described as lifestyle disease that can run through families but that does not necessarily mean a family member can automatically become a candidate for diabetes.
The Joy FM Sugar Project is partnership between the “Joy FM Sugar Project”, Rotary Club of Accra Airport and Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA) and working jointly with the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
It was initiated in 2015 with the aim of educating the population into adopting simple lifestyle practices for prevention of diabetes and promotion of healthy living.
The campaign takes diabetes testing to the doorsteps of people and links those who need care with the appropriate medical facilities.
The overall aim is to accelerate process towards attaining the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the targets on reduction in non-communicable diseases.
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