Akoma+ Health and Wellness Foundation screens over 150 people on World Heart Day

The Akoma+ Health and Wellness Foundation marked World Heart Day on September 29, 2025, with a comprehensive health screening and awareness event, alongside the official launch of the foundation.

Held at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Forecourt, the initiative brought together health professionals, public officials, and over 150 participants committed to promoting cardiovascular health in Ghana.

The event offered free medical screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, hepatitis B and C, and malaria. Both Ghanaians and foreign nationals took part in the screenings, with high-risk individuals referred to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital for further care.

Others were directed to healthcare providers of their choice for follow-up. The event drew several prominent figures, including Dr. Mohammed Sherif, a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, who served as Chairman of the occasion.

Other notable attendees included Hon. Betty Mensah, Special Aide to the Minister of Sports and Recreation; Dr. Alhaji Gamel Sinare, CEO of Eranis Medical; Mr. Isaac Obeng Tandoh of the Ghana Health Service; Dr. Frank Duodu, assistant to the Inspector General of Police; and Dr. Jennifer Obodai of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.

Representatives from the Ghana Police Service and renowned dietitian Nana Ama Dwamena were also present.

The success of the event was made possible through the efforts of volunteers from the 37 Military Hospital and HealthScan Diagnostics. Strategic partnerships with the Ghana Ambulance Service, Ghana National Fire Service, NHIS team from the Korle-Klottey Constituency, and Bel-Aqua added further support to the initiative.

Delivering the keynote address, Akoma+ CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Martin Tibuakuu, shared the personal story behind the foundation. Having lost both parents to heart disease at a young age, Dr. Tibuakuu—now a U.S.-trained cardiologist from Johns Hopkins Hospital—spoke passionately about his lifelong mission to reduce preventable cardiovascular deaths in Ghana.

He introduced the foundation’s “ABCDE” framework for heart disease prevention:
•⁠ ⁠Awareness
•⁠ ⁠Blood Pressure
•⁠ ⁠Cholesterol & Cigarettes
•⁠ ⁠Diabetes & Diet
•⁠ ⁠Exercise

According to Dr. Tibuakuu, up to 80% of heart-related deaths can be prevented through lifestyle changes and early detection, making public awareness and education critical. Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Aubrey Mwinyogle, and Chief Operating Officer, Osei Kwadwo Boateng, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the urgent need for Ghanaians to “know their numbers”—key health indicators that can predict cardiovascular risk.

Both urged individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and join the national movement toward a heart-conscious society. Dr. Samuel Nuamah, Executive Director of Public Health Alliance International Ghana (PHAIG), highlighted the broader public health implications of heart disease, stressing that a healthy population is essential for sustained national development.

The event featured a range of engaging activities, including a health-focused drama performance by the PHAIG Performing Arts Group, live fitness demonstrations, and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration.

World Heart Day is observed globally each year on September 29 to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the world’s leading cause of death.

Through its inaugural event, the Akoma+ Health and Wellness Foundation has taken a bold step in advancing heart health advocacy and prevention efforts in Ghana.