By Kobby Blay, Ghanahealthnest.com
A new community based initiative to assist selected constituencies in need with specific programs through health, as well as educational, and entrepreneurial support has been launched.
The Health, Education, and Entrepreneurship Development (H.E.E.D.) Foundation, is a nonprofit organization established in Ghana with an aim to help members of some selected constituencies in need with specific programs through health, educational, and entrepreneurial support.
The launching which took place in Koforidua, kicked off with a 5km health walk in the morning involving volunteers of the H.E.E.D group and dozens of youth from Asokore, a suburb community of Koforidua.
The walk was used to sensitize people of the importance of keeping fit through regular exercise while creating awareness of the existence of the H.E.E.D. Foundation and its mission and vision. The youth, who came in their numbers expressed the desire and the need to keep fit for a healthy living.
It proceeded with an interactive session on drug and substance abuse for the youth, attracting a hundreds of basic and junior high school students.
Dr. Adae Opoku Amoako, chairman of the foundation educated participants on the facets of drug abuse ranging from the dangerous drug or substance types, its consequential effects on the health of the user, and more importantly how to curb or minimize the menace in the town.
The official launching ceremony was graced by government officials, traditional leaders, civil society and stakeholders and the public; the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development and Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben North Constituency Hon. Nana Adjei-Boateng, the Chief of the Asokore Township, Nana Antwi Panyin II, the Regional Director of Education, Ms Debora Barbantude and the Director of the Eastern Regional Hospital (Koforidua Central Hospital) Dr. Kwame Anim Boamah.
The ceremony saw the official unveiling of the various programs under the three pronged initiatives (Health, Education, and Entrepreneurship) to the public.
Chair and director of health for the H.E.E.D. Foundation, Ghanaian-USA based physician Dr. Adae Opoku Amoako indicated that the mission of the foundation is to promote health literacy and healthy living, scholarships, and opportunities for entrepreneurial growth to the people of the communities they will serve. He also emphasized the need to embrace the initiative and together make it work.
Hon. Nana Adjei Boateng applauded the initiative and pledged his support to make sure the initiative grows and is sustained.
The president and director of entrepreneurship of the foundation Mrs. Cecilia Sueley Amoako admonished the beneficiaries and the entire nation on the need for all stakeholders to push for more policies that support initiatives of such to work smoothly and account accordingly to help develop the nation.
The weekend culminated with a health screening exercise where over 300 residents were screened for hypertension, diabetes and obesity. The H.E.E.D. Foundation also donated medications and durable medical devices at the fair.
Source: Ghanahealthnest.com