Medical Officer speaks on diabetes, hypertension.

Sekondi, July 19, -GNA -Doctor Bernard Boateng-Duah, senior medical officer at the Takoradi Port Clinic has said that diabetes and hypertension are two major killer diseases facing the country. He said while 17 per cent of Ghanaians are hypersensitive, four per cent diabetic.

Dr. Boateng-Duah cited excessive leisure, improper eating habits and the lack of exercises as factors responsible for such high incidence. He was speaking at the close of three-day annual convention of the Power Evangelistic Network (PEN) at Sekondi under the theme, "The Power of Unity and Prayer" on Friday. Dr Boateng-Duah appealed to Ghanaians to rest frequently, to reduce stress, adding that, stress is a major cause of the hypertension cases in the country.

He urged diabetic and hypersensitive people to visit hospital regularly and use their drugs correctly, adding, "your life is in your own hands and not that of the doctor". Dr. Boateng-Duah advised Ghanaians to check their weight and avoid obesity, since life expectancy has reduced from 70 to 57 years in Ghana.

Mrs Sweetie Sowah, Western Regional Director of the Legal Aid Board appealed to women to make wills for their children and husbands. Speaking on inheritance, she called on persons who inherit deceased relatives, not to deprive surviving children and spouses, of their due share in the property. Mrs Sowah stressed that the PNDC Law 111 was not promulgated to destroy marriages but rather to guarantee security for the children and family of the deceased.

Mrs Sowah therefore, appealed to all to ensure that their marriages are registered, to protect them from litigations. She urged all married couples to stay together in their matrimonial home, to reduce truancy and ensure the proper upbringing of their children. Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Sefah, Western Regional Co-ordinator of PEN said the convention is meant to bring together several churches and plan effective ways for their evangelistic ministry. He said future conventions would concentrate on the youth who would be drawn from the Western and Central regions.

Rev. Mrs Esther B. Ghunney women's coordinator urged all Christian women to team up and ensure the proper development of the youth. She said the youth, who form the bulk of the population, should be guided to assume leadership roles in the church and community and assisted to acquire employable skills.