SDA Church advocates healthy lifestyles

The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, has entreated Ghanaians to engage in regular exercises and avoid bad eating habits, in order to contribute to sustainable productivity, higher national income and good standard of living.

Pastor Richard Daves, Accra North District Pastor of the SDA Church, said the habit of exercising all the time and restraining oneself from eating excessive meat, drinking and smoking revitalises the body to boost productivity and ensure longer lifespan.

He said scientific research findings validate his views. Pastor Daves made this known to Ghana News Agency in Accra, during a health walk as part of activities to mark the 125 years anniversary of the Church.

It was on theme: “promoting healthy lifestyle and compassionate health care.” Pastor Daves noted that the Church’s principle of avoiding particular meat and fishes is supported by biblical doctrine.

He said if the nation adopts the doctrine it would save the government and individuals the exorbitant cost involved in treating ailments.

Pastor Daves advised religious leaders to avoid “populate preaching” geared towards amassing material wealth and concentrate on telling the congregation the truth as contained in biblical books.

“The common problem of man is death,” hence the need to work towards that, he said.

Mrs Leonora Nortey Botchway, Principal Nursing Officer of Ga West Municipal Health Directorate, commended the SDA Church for educating members on healthy lifestyle.

She expressed concern that some Ghanaians glorify obesity and endorse bad environmental practices.

The human body needs constant regeneration through regular exercise, eating plant-based food she called good food, drinking enough water daily and observing good environmental practices and rest, she said.

Mrs Botchway called on Ghanaians to adopt good health lifestyles and practices in order to reduce stress, anxiety as well as prevent bed-ridden diseases and cancer during old age.

She said this would save the nation of the unnecessary medical expenditure on ailments.