The Akoma+ Health & Wellness Foundation, on 29th September 2025, celebrated World Heart Day with a cardiovascular screening and health awareness event, alongside the official launch of the foundation at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Forecourt.

More than 150 participants, comprising both Ghanaians and foreign nationals, received free health checks, which included assessments for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, hepatitis B and C, and malaria.

High-risk individuals were referred to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH) and the 37 Military Hospital, while others were guided to their preferred healthcare facilities.

The event was attended by key representatives, including Dr. Mohammed Sherif, a distinguished member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health; Betty Mensah, Special Aide to the Minister of Sports and Recreation; Dr. Alhaji Gamel Sinare, CEO of Eranis Medical; Mr. Isaac Obeng Tandoh from the Ghana Health Service; Dr. Frank Duodu, Assistant to the Inspector General of Police; and Dr. Jennifer Obodai from the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. Other attendees included representatives from the Ghana Police Service and Dietitian Nana Ama Dwamena.

Volunteers from the 37 Military Hospital and HealthScan Diagnostics played an essential role in the event’s success, while partnerships with the Ghana Ambulance Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the NHIS team from the Korle-Klottey Constituency, and Bel-Aqua further supported the initiative.

In a heartfelt keynote address, Akoma+ CEO and Co-Founder, Dr Martin Tibuakuu, shared his personal journey, detailing the challenges he faced growing up after losing both parents to heart disease and his rise as a cardiologist trained at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

He emphasised that these experiences inspired his commitment to ensuring that no Ghanaian family faces preventable losses from cardiovascular disease.

Dr Tibuakuu also introduced the “ABCDE” framework for heart disease prevention—Awareness, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol & Cigarettes, Diabetes & Diet, and Exercise—noting that up to 80% of heart-related deaths can be prevented through lifestyle changes and early detection.

Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Aubrey Mwinyogle, and Chief Operating Officer, Osei Kwadwo Boateng, also addressed the audience, sharing their motivations for joining Akoma+.

They encouraged Ghanaians to take control of their heart health, urging individuals to “know their numbers,” adopt healthier lifestyles, and unite in efforts to foster a heart-healthy Ghana.

Dr Samuel Nuamah, Executive Director of Public Health Alliance International, Ghana (PHAIG), underscored the importance of collaborative public health initiatives in combating heart disease in Ghana.

The programme featured engaging activities, including a health drama, fitness demonstrations, and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration services.

World Heart Day is observed annually on September 29 to raise awareness of the global burden of cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide.