By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
Journalists in the Ashanti region have undertaken a health walk to keep fit after a stressful year.
The event also aimed to foster a bond of relation among themselves while renewing their energy ahead of 2024, which is expected to be energy-sapping for media practitioners due to the scheduled electioneering activities.
It is the first time media practitioners in the Ashanti region have joined forces to undertake such an exercise.
It was initiated by some senior journalists and supported by MTN Ghana towards deepening the existing cordial working relationship among the media and the telecommunication service provider that has existed over the years.
The walk began from the Nhyiaeso premises of MTN amidst brass band music and went through Nhyiaeso, the Ahodwo Roundabout, Asokwa Interchange, and the Kumasi Mall through the frontage of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), at Dadiesoaba.
The number of participating journalists kept increasing as the health walk went through the Asafo Ahmmadyya Roundabout, Labour Roundabout, the Asafo Interchange, the KMA office, and Ridge Police Station before ending exactly where it started at Nhyiaeso.
Warrant Officer Class One Austin Power of the Physical Training Department of the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces then took the journalists through some aerobic exercises to burn excess fat from their bodies.
In a remark, the Northern Business Acting Commercial Manager of MTN, Simon Amoh, acknowledged the stress journalists go through in serving the information needs of the public at the risk of their health, hence the acceptance of his organisation to support the health walk.
He indicated MTN Ghana’s readiness to consider the plea by the journalists to help make the event an annual exercise, saying that “a healthy body lives in a sound mind”.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Kingsley Hope, pleaded with MTN to assist in making the event an annual keep-fit exercise for the journalists.
He expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm and participation of the journalists, despite the relatively short notice.
The participants were also treated to food and drinks.