In celebration of fathers, the Balm of Gilead Alternative Clinic, in collaboration with the New Tafo PIWC, held the second edition of the Legacy of the Father Awards to honour servicemen in Kumasi.

The event aimed to appreciate the contributions of fathers in various homes, especially those serving in the security services.

Guest speakers at the event encouraged men to prioritise their health and safety through regular medical check-ups.

According to Dr Isaac Okyere, Head of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, many men in Ghana suffer from hypertension and heart disease due to pressure at home and at work.

"It is a fact that many men are the breadwinners at home, while others are engaged in strenuous work, which increases their stress levels," he noted.

To avoid sudden deaths, he urged men to adopt the habit of visiting the hospital regularly for medical check-ups.

Those honoured at the event included DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, Ashanti Regional Police Commander; Ing James B. Mwinyelle, Ashanti Regional Prisons Commander; other officers from the police and prisons services; and some prominent men of God.

Elder Dr Edmund Arthur, Head of the Balm of Gilead Alternative Clinic and President of the Legacy of the Father Awards, said he established the awards to honour fathers annually in recognition of the unwavering support he received from his own father during a difficult period in his life.

"I have been a cancer survivor for the past twenty years. During that challenging time, God used several fathers—medical professionals like Dr Baffour Awuah, Professor Opare, and my own father—to preserve my life. So I decided to appreciate fathers every year," he said.

This year’s awards ceremony included a free health screening for about 300 men at the Kumasi Central Police Headquarters, in addition to the honours presented.

"If there is an impending illness, visit the hospital early for treatment to prevent more serious problems," Dr Arthur advised.

Renowned gospel musician Uncle Ato graced the occasion with a powerful ministration.