Cobba’s health wellness guide for Christmas 2021
There is something special about Christmas; just the thought of it either overwhelms you with excitement or you may be drowned with anxiety as panic bells keep ringing. When a budget is read close to Christmas then you can imagine its impact. All the Christmas frenzy virtually melts away by 6 p.m. on December 25. When all is said and done remember that the season marks Christ’s birthday not yours, so make Him the focus and give Him all the glory. Just like 2021 appears to have been a sprint, January 2022 will be here soon and yes January will once again be the “longest” month of the year so be careful. Let’s take a look at some of these areas as we prepare for the Christmas carols and décor that seem to be avoiding the limelight as much as possible.
Climate Change and Christmas
These days the sun is really bluffing. It can get so hot one’s brain seems to melt.
• Climate Change has made the weather so unpredictable we may even end up with rain on Christmas Day. Remember to protect yourself from extreme heat. When planning for an event don’t assume it won’t rain. Stay safe at all times.
Insane traffic, driving and accidents
• The traffic in the capital has been ridiculous and this trend started over a month ago. It promises to get worse and we can all help by
• Working from home if your job allows that
• Carpooling
• Planning trips well to avoid traffic and wasting fuel; and the price of fuel is no child’s play
• Staying in traffic may tempt you to get on your phone but “Don’t Drive & Text. You are an ACCIDENT IN WAITING if you do.
” COVID-19 does not “celebrate” Christmas
• Christmas 2021 appears to be one that Sikaman will receive many “guests” from far and wide and they will definitely want to chill.
• There will be parties and many large gatherings and excited people tend to forget that there are protocols to follow and COVID-19 does not recognise Christmas; at least it didn’t when I last checked.
• I am sure you remember that at about the same time in 2020 we seemed to be enjoying a “break” from COVID till election campaigns, Election Day, celebrations and Christmas joy eroded all our gains. Re
member that and stay safe.
Party preparation & an excuse to indulge
• This festive season do not skip your meals in preparation for a party. Hunger will make you overeat and also you are prone to making bad choices as your stomach churns. • If you have an evening function that involves food eat a heavy healthy lunch at home and ensure you are well hydrated. This will reduce the tendency to overeat.
• At a buffet, serve yourself and move away. Do not find excuses to stay by the food and snacks.
• You are not expected to “try” everything that is served. Pick a few of your favourite and let the rest be.
• Your days are packed but since almost everyone will indulge, make time to exercise most days even if it’s for less than 10 minutes
• You can even walk in place at your bedside and add my all-time favourites of pushups, squats and planks.
• At parties, church programmes and other functions take every opportunity to dance; well that is exercise and also keeps you away from the food and drinks.
• Alcohol has a way of making
everything “enjoyable” – be careful of what and how much you drink because you will end up making THE WRONG CHOICES. I can guarantee that
• This does not mean coloured drinks loaded with sugar are a good substitute. Remember moderation is key.
Keeping wellness on track?
• Make time to SLEEP. There is the temptation to be part of every “show”, slow down. It’s not the end of life
• Make time to breathe, your body including your mental health will be grateful to you
• Do not “over” indulge during the season. It will soon be over and you will have to start all over again. Remember what it took to reach your goals …
Financial wellness and heartbreaks
• If you have not been putting money away all year for gifts, fun-time and other expenses, this is no time to “squeeze” because something else will have to give; rent, mortgage, car payment, school fees, food for January 2022 etc.
Keep within your “lane” and prepare for Christmas 2022. You will definitely cause some heartbreaks but it is what it is.
• If you want to enjoy Christmas 2022 then preparation starts in January 2022. Start putting some money away every month
New Year resolutions
• And the cycle will start all over again within a week of Christmas Day. There is no magic about New Year resolutions and many fail to progress beyond a few weeks. I do not know your experience with New Year Resolutions but I daresay, if you have great plans for your physical, social, mental, financial, spiritual and digital wellbeing start now and get back on track whenever you go off course.
The bottom-line is and has remained the same for ages; Christmas marks the birth of Christ our Lord and Saviour. Make time to praise, worship, thank Him and learn more about Him.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel Health Essentials Ltd/ St Andrews Clinic/Mobissel (dressel@ healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. Thought for the week –“Don’t drive and text. You are an accident in waiting if you do.”
References: • Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
News
Oxfam in Ghana donates medical equipment and essential drugs worth GH¢1.5 million to Kasoa Polyclinic
Oxfam in Ghana has donated medical equipment and essential drugs worth about GH¢1.5 million to the Kasoa Polyclinic to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services in the municipality.
The presentation, which took place on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, at the premises of the clinic in Kasoa, formed part of the sustainability and legacy activities under the Power to Choose (P2C) Project.
The donated items included delivery beds, maternity beds, oxygen cylinders, neonatal resuscitation equipment, blood pressure monitors, newborn weighing scales, suction machines, delivery kits, essential medicines, medical theatre wear and other critical supplies to support quality healthcare delivery.
The Power to Choose Project is a seven-year initiative being implemented by Oxfam in Ghana in partnership with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), WiLDAF Ghana, SEND Ghana, Norsaac and PARDA, with funding from Global Affairs Canada through Oxfam Quebec.
The project seeks to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people, particularly adolescent girls, young women and young men living in vulnerable and marginalised conditions.
Addressing nurses and management of the hospital, the Country Director for Oxfam in Ghana, Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam, said the project, which began in 2021 and will run until early 2028, is being implemented in seven countries across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
He said Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the two African countries benefiting from the project.
Mr. Adam noted that the project has already trained about 102 health workers in areas including youth-friendly services, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, family planning, gender-based violence response, respectful maternity care and inclusive healthcare delivery.
He said Oxfam and its partners conducted assessments at beneficiary facilities and identified equipment needs to help improve healthcare delivery.
According to him, the donation would create safe spaces where young women and girls could seek healthcare services without fear or stigma and would improve health outcomes in the community.
Mr. Adam thanked the Government of Canada, the Ghana Health Service, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG), World Health Ghana and other partners for supporting the implementation of the project.
He urged the beneficiary facilities to ensure that the equipment is properly used and maintained to serve the community for many years.
A speech by the Municipal Health Director for Awutu Senya East, Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo, which was read on his behalf by the Municipal Accountant, Rev. Dr. Askari Thomas, described the donation as timely and important.
He said quality healthcare delivery depends on manpower, financial resources and equipment, adding that healthcare workers cannot effectively deliver services without the necessary tools.
Dr. Yaidoo thanked Oxfam and its partners for selecting Kasoa as one of the beneficiary facilities and assured them that the equipment would be put to good use.
The Acting Medical Superintendent of Kasoa Polyclinic, Dr. Papa Kojo Arthur, expressed appreciation to Oxfam for its continuous support over the years through training and capacity building.
He said the equipment would greatly support the effective management of patients, particularly in maternal and child healthcare.
According to him, the donation would help reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in the municipality.
The donation formed part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of youth-friendly health facilities in eight implementing districts across five regions of Ghana to continue providing quality and accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare services beyond the lifespan of the project.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) has announced that an electronic copy of Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy is now available online for free access by the public and stakeholders in the creative sector.
In a statement issued on June 22, the ministry said the revised policy was officially launched on June 9, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.
According to the ministry, the decision to upload the document on its official website is aimed at ensuring widespread dissemination, increasing public awareness and promoting the effective implementation of the policy.
The ministry encouraged sector practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public to visit its website and read the document.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in the spirit of the Black Star Experience, remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and collaborative approach to building the better Ghana we want,” the statement said.
It added that it looks forward to the active participation of stakeholders in implementing the policy for the benefit of the country.
The ministry urged the public to take advantage of the free access to the policy document and familiarise themselves with its contents.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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