Doctor cautions pensioners against unhealthy lifestyle
The Medical Director for Ahanta West District, Dr. Dolf Kofi Sutherland, has cautioned pensioners to desist from unhealthy lifestyles to enable them to live long.
He said some civil and public servants do not plan properly towards their retirement and become frustrated and disillusioned when faced with the realities of retirement.
They therefore resort to various unhealthy lifestyles like high consumption of alcohol, smoking of cigarette and other negative behaviours that affect their health, he said.
He observed that since the immune system becomes weak at old age, it becomes prone to various diseases such as hypertension, stroke, tuberculosis, diabetes, cancer, heart attack, sexual impotency, kidney infection, among other ailments, that send them early to their graves.
Dr. Kofi Sutherland made these remarks when he educated pensioners on “Healthy Lifestyle”, during the inauguration of the Ahanta West branch of the National Pensioners Association, at Agona-Nkwanta in the Western Region.
He entreated Ghanaians to invest in their health and other profitable ventures before retirement, instead of spending resources on funeral clothes and fatty foods.
Dr. Sutherland reiterated the call for a national ageing policy, in order to cater for the welfare of the aged in the country.
He admonished the aged to have quality sleep, proper sanitation, balanced diets and regular exercises in order to live long after retirement
The Western Regional Chair of National Pensioners Association (NPA), Mr. Ebenezer Bediako, entreated pensioners to endeavor to update their records and renew their life certificates with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to avoid their names being deleted from the payroll.
He entreated all pensioners in the country to join the Association to ensure a common front to pursue their welfare.
He lamented about the poor monthly pension allowances for pensioners and appealed to the government to increase it in view of the increasing cost of living.
An eight-member district executive was sworn into office by the Regional Secretary, Mrs. Grace Fraikue, who administered the Oath of Office.
They are Joseph Essuman, Chairman, Patrick Yalley, Vice-chairman, Keneth Sorh, Secretary and Joseph Quaicoe, Assistant Secretary.
Others are John Quayson, Financial Secretary, John Kwame Anderson, Organizer and Jacob Anderson, Chaplain.
Source: GNA