Walk the Talk event on the occasion of WHO@75

• Thank you all for coming here to join the Walk the Talk 2023 Health for All Challenge in Ghana.
• It is my pleasure to deliver remarks on behalf of the UN family and welcome you to this event, which is part of the year-long campaign dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization.
• Since its foundation in 1948, WHO has been side by side with the Member States to help tackle public health challenges that have required us all to come together with science, solutions and solidarity. The successes of these efforts range from:
  • the world setting the “Health for All” aspirational goal in 1978
  • the Smallpox eradication in 1980
  • the first antiretroviral medication to control HIV infection and prevent it from progressing to AIDS in 1987
  • the launch of the global polio eradication initiative in 1988, which led to 99% reduction of the incidence of polio as of 2022 [1]
  • These are just handful examples of the vast achievements in Providing health, Protecting health and Promoting health, while prioritizing the most vulnerable.

• The World Health Organization has been present in Ghana for over 60 years – one of the longest globally.
  • In this country, WHO and the entire UN system continue to relentlessly strive in support of the attainment of the highest standard of health by all, among other Sustainable Development Goals, as one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, sex, religion, political belief, economic or social status.

• At the similar Walk the Talk event on the eve of the UN General Assembly in New York this month, WHO Director-General has emphasized that:

“Talking alone is not enough. We need countries to walk the talk. We need real commitment, supported by real investment and real action.” [2]

• Today’s activity is not just about the WHO’s 75th anniversary. By coming here, each of us chose to take a real action to promote healthy lifestyle.

• Being physically active throughout the life course helps prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and many types of cancer.

• We need to keep it up and ensure that promotion of regular physical activity and healthy living among the general public are systematized, becoming a part of culture.

• • We can see this happening in countries such as Cabo Verde, where the Government in collaboration with the UN and other partners, has been leading a network of physical activity monitors, “active street”, “active elderly”, “active workplace break” and community jogging programmes across the country since 2017.

• This commendable effort can be replicated anywhere in the region, including in Ghana, to help Africa progress towards its target of achieving a 15% relative reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 2030.

Ladies and gentlemen,

• I invite you all to join me in walking the talk today, with sincere congratulations once again to WHO with its ‘diamond’ anniversary of improving public health for all.

• As I conclude, please also allow me to acknowledge the generous support of the Office of the Presidential Household, Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police to make this event happen.

• Thank you.

[1] History (who.int)

[2] WHO Director-General's opening remarks on Walk the Talk – 17 September 2023