Health Essentials
Pause and reflect: Lifesaving power of pets
In a country filled with stress, social unrest and lingering scars of a pandemic, pets have emerged as silent healers, loyal companions and even lifesavers.
From the bustling streets of Accra to the rural communities in the Northern Region, pets have been woven into the social fibre that offers a sense of hope. Science calls it the ‘Pet effect’, while others call it a blessing.
This marks the untold story of how pets are saving humans emotionally and psychologically across the globe.
Cultural tapestry of pets in
societies
Historically, animals have held diverse roles in societies – right from being guardians, through to being helpers on the farm and fast becoming symbols of spiritual importance.
In the Konkomba society for instance, certain animals like dogs, rabbits, and cats are revered; often associated with spiritual beliefs and cultural values. Proverbs such as ‘Taa bɛɛn Ubɔŋban daar’ (Don’t look for a dog on the day of hunting) underscores the significance of companionship as an attribute that pets embody in our society.
This cultural root significantly deepens the bonds between humans and their pets, reinforcing animals as a symbol of comfort.
Emotional boosters
In Ghana where mental health struggles are mostly stigmatised, pets offer judgment-free comfort. In Accra for instance, a number of households cherish dogs and cats hence nurturing bonds that transcend mere utility.
Pet ownership has grown as a natural way of promoting mental well-being and emotional support in times of personal or societal unrest, acting as silent witnesses and comforters.
Research from the American Psychological Association shows that interacting with pets lowers cortisol levels (stress hormone) while increasing serotonin and dopamine, chemicals linked to happiness.
The research indicates that Therapy dogs in hospitals, schools, and disaster zones provide comfort, proving that animals have an innate ability to soothe human anxiety and depression.
The use of therapy dogs as therapeutic agents helps in reducing aggressive behaviours, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms.
This suggest that animals provide a significant calming and therapeutic effect on patients with psychological disorders.
In an interview with a health expert at Nkwanta St Joseph Hospital, Doctor Emmanuel Mardo, said the use of trained therapy dogs was growing in the western part of the world due to health benefits on humans.
However, he noted that the use of these therapy dogs was rare in Africa. Even though most households have dogs or cat, these animals are there for security purposes and not as a companion.
“I’ve read about the benefits of therapy dogs in other countries like UK and America but it’s not a practice I know about here in our country,” Dr Mardo stated.
He acknowledged the potential benefits of such an initiative, stating that it could be very essential if implemented in our hospitals.
“Personally, I believe that it is a very good initiative and since it is working for other countries, it can equally work for us,” he added.
Physical health benefits
Having a pet encourages an active lifestyle. Dog owners, for instance, are more likely to meet daily exercise requirements through walks, which aid in reducing the risks of obesity and heart disease.
In an encounter with Mr Greg, an Australian dog owner in Osu-Accra, he shared benefits he derives from having a dog.
“Billy gives me the motivation to walk longer distances and yeah, his presence provides a sense of security for me. He deters potential threats and I don’t feel lonely when I’m taking a walk with him,” he noted.
The American Heart Association’s 2013 statement on pet ownership also links pet ownership to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. According to the statement, an increase in physical activity can lead to a 24 per cent reduction in the risk of early death.
Daily exercise lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels and hence decreasing the risk of a heart disease.
Safety and security benefits
Pets play a significant role in enhancing security in various ways. They serve as a deterrent to potential intruders, protecting homes and properties from break-ins.
In an interview with Ms Faustina, a trader at Agbogbloshie, she shared her reasons for keeping multiple dogs around her property.
“I keep dogs because they protect my house. Whenever someone unfamiliar approaches, they bark and alert me,” she stated.
She also noted that the pets provide her with a sense of warmth and companionship, which helps her to alleviate feeling of loneliness as a single woman.
According to her, “Having pets around makes me feel less alone; they bring warmth to my life.”
Speaking with Mr Tayoume Kennedy Babuime, a Leading Fireman of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), he also stated that dogs are used for operations such as search and rescue, detection of explosives and narcotics, and pursuit of suspects.
“Dogs are very important in our rescue operations. Their sense of smell enables us to locate people trapped in burning buildings or under debris. Especially, well trained sniffer dogs are the ones we mostly use in our operations because they have the ability to detect scents far stronger and quicker than humans which makes them more suitable for our search and rescue missions,” he explained.
Pets are far more than just animals we keep at home. They are therapists, fitness coaches and family.
In a country battling high fuel prices, political noise and endless stress, pets remind us to pause and reflect on what truly matters: love in its purest and furriest form.
Therefore, the next time you see a stray dog wagging its tail on Chorkor Road or a goat nuzzling a tail in Bawku, remember, these creatures are not just surviving Ghana’s chaos. They are saving us from it.
The writer is a Level 300 student of UniMAC, GIJ
By Cynthia Nnankorla Bikarl
Teenage Hypertension: The silent threat to Ghana’s young generation
For many Ghanaian teenagers, high blood pressure may seem like a health problem for their parents and grandparents. But as unhealthy eating habits, excess weight and increasingly sedentary lifestyles become concerns for younger populations, protecting heart health during adolescence deserves greater attention.
The danger is that hypertension can develop without obvious symptoms. A teenager may feel perfectly healthy while elevated blood pressure goes undetected, potentially delaying medical assessment and appropriate care.
Although not every teenager with unhealthy habits will develop hypertension, early awareness, healthy lifestyle choices and appropriate blood pressure checks can help reduce future cardiovascular risks.
A growing concern
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a major public health concern worldwide. The World Health Organisation identifies it as an important contributor to premature death, largely because it increases the risk of serious cardiovascular complications.
While the condition is often associated with adulthood, the factors that contribute to its development can begin much earlier in life.
Frequent consumption of foods high in salt, poor dietary habits, excess body weight and insufficient physical activity can undermine cardiovascular health. Family history and certain underlying medical conditions may also increase an individual’s risk.
For teenagers, therefore, the conversation about hypertension should extend beyond hospital visits and include the everyday habits that shape their health.
When lifestyle choices become a concern
Adolescence is a period when young people begin making more independent decisions about what they eat, how they spend their leisure time and how physically active they are.
Convenience foods, processed meals, salty snacks and sugary drinks may become regular features of their diets. At the same time, long hours spent on mobile phones, computers and other digital devices can leave less time for physical activity.
Academic demands and inadequate sleep may further affect their general well-being.
These habits do not automatically lead to hypertension. However, when unhealthy diets and physical inactivity contribute to excess weight, they can increase the risk of high blood pressure, particularly among people with other predisposing factors.
Recognising these risks early offers families, schools and health professionals an opportunity to encourage healthier choices before unhealthy patterns become established.
What Ghana’s cardiovascular health figures reveal
A cardiologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School, Professor Alfred Doku, in an interview highlighted the seriousness of cardiovascular disease in Ghana, citing figures indicating that it accounted for approximately 43 to 50 per cent of deaths in the country.
He also stated that about 30 per cent of Ghanaian adults had hypertension, with approximately 70 per cent of those affected unaware of their condition.
Although these figures concern adults and the wider population rather than teenagers specifically, they point to the importance of improving awareness, screening and early detection of high blood pressure.
Professor Doku urged people to know their blood pressure readings and monitor other important health indicators, including blood sugar, cholesterol levels and body weight.
His advice underscores the importance of understanding personal health risks rather than waiting for illness to become apparent before seeking medical attention.
For adolescents, any blood pressure reading that raises concern should be assessed by a qualified health professional. Because blood pressure varies with age, growth and other factors, its interpretation in children and teenagers requires appropriate clinical assessment.
The danger of a condition without obvious symptoms
The Head of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Dr Kow Entsua-Mensah, also stressed the importance of awareness and early detection in addressing cardiovascular disease.
He explained that hypertension could remain undetected for years because affected individuals might not experience noticeable symptoms.
Dr Entsua-Mensah noted that several factors, including diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption, could contribute to cardiovascular damage over time.
He called for greater public awareness of the importance of checking blood pressure and other health indicators before complications develop.
The challenge with hypertension is that the absence of symptoms can create a false sense of security. People may assume they are healthy simply because they feel well, overlooking the need for preventive health checks.
Dr Entsua-Mensah emphasised that addressing cardiovascular disease required cooperation among healthcare professionals, government institutions, schools, businesses, community organisations and the media.
Such collaboration is particularly important for young people, whose health habits are influenced by their homes, schools, peer groups and the wider environment.
Small habits, lasting benefits
Professor Doku said many cases of heart disease and stroke could be prevented or their risks reduced through appropriate lifestyle changes and effective management of contributing factors.
He encouraged young people to reduce their salt intake, eat balanced meals, exercise regularly and avoid smoking.
Describing hypertension as a silent threat, he warned that people should not wait for symptoms before taking their blood pressure seriously.
Hypertension, he stressed, could have serious consequences, including heart failure and stroke, when left undetected or inadequately managed.
For teenagers, protecting heart health does not necessarily require complicated routines. It begins with practical, everyday decisions: eating a balanced diet, choosing foods with less salt, participating in regular physical activity and getting adequate sleep.
Avoiding tobacco products and maintaining a healthy weight are also important steps towards reducing cardiovascular risks.
Young people who are diagnosed with hypertension should follow the advice of their healthcare providers and take prescribed medication as directed. Lifestyle changes can support treatment, but they should not replace medication when it is medically necessary.
Parents have an important role to play by encouraging healthy eating and physical activity at home. Schools can contribute by providing opportunities for exercise, promoting health education and making nutritious food choices more accessible to students.
Healthcare professionals, meanwhile, can help identify young people who may be at risk, assess abnormal readings and guide families on appropriate follow-up care.
Protecting the next generation
Addressing hypertension among young people requires more than individual effort. It calls for a coordinated response involving families, schools, healthcare providers, policymakers and the media.
Public education should challenge the perception that high blood pressure is exclusively an older person’s condition. Teenagers need accurate information about cardiovascular health, the factors that increase their risk and the importance of seeking professional advice when necessary.
Appropriate screening and follow-up care can also help identify elevated blood pressure and ensure that young people who need medical attention receive it.
However, the extent of hypertension among Ghanaian teenagers should not be inferred from statistics relating to adults. Reliable, age-specific national data are needed to establish the scale of the problem and guide targeted interventions.
That evidence gap makes it important to approach the subject with both urgency and accuracy: raising awareness of the risks without exaggerating what is known about their prevalence among adolescents.
For Ghana’s young generation, the message is clear. Feeling healthy does not always mean that blood pressure is normal, and good cardiovascular health should not be left until adulthood.
By encouraging healthier habits, improving access to appropriate health checks and making reliable information available to young people, Ghana can take meaningful steps towards protecting the heart health of its next generation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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Don’t we all dream of a life that is filled with laughter? That may be a reason for chasing big bucks, which like the golden-fleece eludes the majority of us. Financial Wellness is extremely important but there are other factors that make us happy and healthy and eventually wealthy.
You definitely do not need to live in Finland to experience happiness even though many people agree that is the “headquarters” of happiness. The happiness in Finland for instance is based on the provision of basic infrastructure and services, minimal corruption and strong social support among others. These go a long way to minimise anxiety making room for one to enjoy the good things of life.
Then when you live in Sikaman and any of its other cohorts, it is challenging to have those in authority create the environment where you can be happy. That’s why you need to “happy yourself” and the happiness hacks below will help you do just that. Even if you live in Finland, you will gain much more by following these steps.
- Wake-Up Ritual
- Say to yourself that today will be a beautiful day or a great day
- Ask God what He has in store for you. Use me Lord (if not a Christian what you believe in will be useful as well.
- Remind yourself of your purpose in life and get out of bed
- Do not grab your phone as the first thing for the day.
- Pray
- Talking to God has a way of calming our nerves. It brings about unexplained peace and when we add praise and worship then the floodgates open. That is how to win battles against unhappiness.
- Smile
- Definitely floods your body with feel good hormones and insulates you from stress
- Smiling is infectious so the more you smile the better and you set off a smiling OR happiness domino effect.
- Meditate
- Extremely good for your brain and an easy way to start is to do deep-breathing and just focus on your “breath” excluding all others. That is what some will prefer to call mindfulness. Being in the moment has immense benefits. Things you never knew existed suddenly spring up.
- Exercise
- That wonder drug that trumps virtually all others. Like smiling it does pour out feel good hormones. Strength training even goes an extra mile causing our muscles to act as “pharmacies” that pour out life-changing signals every time they contract.
- Be kind to yourself & to others.
- We are often too harsh on ourselves. Give yourself a break. Self-care is the real deal!!
- Being harsh to others has no benefits.
- Spend some time doing nothing
- We need to re-set from time to time. Spend about 10 minutes a day doing absolutely nothing. There is happiness and innovation in “idling”. Do not abuse idling though
- Spend time with loved ones
- This is another powerful happiness “hack”. You have to make time and be intentional about this; talk on phone, send messages, arrange to meet for a drink or meal. Social Wellness ranks very high on the happiness index and it’s fairly easy to plug into it.
- While spending time together remember that your choice of food and drinks also impacts on how happy or sad or anxious you may feel.
- Indulge in a hobby
- Our bodies and brain love variety. Do you have a hobby? Get one
- Write in your gratitude diary
- That is all it takes – keep doing it regularly.
This list is not exhaustive but definitely a good start. Share your happiness hacks with me via email and together we can keep the world smiling and happy.
At the end of each day ask yourself if you did better than the previous day. That is all it takes. Doing better than the previous day for 365 days, for 5 years, 10 years… How amazing that will be!!!
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/Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “There is no magic formula to being happy but making a conscious effort to be happy goes a long way.” – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
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