Representatives from over 15 African countries would converge at the University of Ghana for the third International Conference on Physical Activity and Sport for Health and Development in Africa (PASHDA).

The conference would be held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) Conference Facility, at the University, from the 19th -21nd September 2018.

The three-day seminar is aimed at promoting physical activity for good health and development.

It is an initiative of African Physical Activity Network (AFPAN), for the promotion of physical activity, sports and health in all African nations by the year 2022.

It would be under the theme, “Inclusive and innovative physical activity, sport and health education for sustainable development in Africa”.

Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, the chairperson for the launch, noted that the IC-PASHDA was an international network that sought to power and transform sports and creation and would provide participants with a healthy and good way of living.

Dr Bella Bello Bitugu, Director, UG Sports Directorate and chairman for the Local Organizing Committee for the conference, said, it would be an opportunity for scholars, researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders in Africa and beyond to meet, dialogue and share research findings.

He said, the initiatives and lessons through conferences, workshops, exhibitions, symposia and seminars, would make sports a commercialised product.

According to Dr Bitugu, the conference is expected to draw several people together, with member nations well-resourced researchers, students, schools and educators as well as stakeholders in the sports and education industry and government officials to discuss the way forward for physical activities and sports for healthy development.

Professor Reginald Ocansey, Head of Physical and Sports Studies Department, in an interview with indicated that the conference was going to be more of a sensitization program to educate the public on sports for a good health and the health benefits associated with it.

“It’s a conference that would bring together all the necessary wings of physical education, that includes the food, nutrition and health to dialogue and have meaningful discussions and share research ideas for the benefit of physical education, so that, the citizenry would be sensitized.

“It is a conference that could be attended by anyone who is interested in health and who wants to be healthy, because there would be a lot of presentations that would be focusing on physical activity, physical in-activities and a whole lot that would benefit people, whose work demand more sitting hours in the office”.

The third edition, which is expected to draw over 50 countries to promote a healthy living and dialogue on sporting issues would have Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana as the chairman.

The maiden edition was held in 2014 in Maputo, Mozambique and the second edition in Nairobi, Kenya, 2016.