More than 2,000 people in Obuasi turned up for the health walk and health screening exercises to climax activities to mark the 20th Anniversary of the celebrated radio presenter Dr. Love Konadu in radio.
Members of the security services, youth groups( Obuasi Parliament), fan clubs, hairdressers and beauticians took part in the activities, which were sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation and the Mama Love Foundation.
Both exercises saw excellent patronage.
The walk, which set the tone for the activities on the day, began at 6:30am and ended at 8:30am.
Backed by brass band from the Methodist Church Brigade Band, the 8-kilometre walk took participants through some principal streets of Obuasi and ended at the AGA Club House.
Host of the ‘Afternoon Jam’ show on Obuasi-based Time FM Dr. Love Konadu has been one of the pioneering female voices in Obuasi and the Ashanti Region at large.
She cut her teeth in radio as a newscaster at the first private radio station in Obuasi, Shaft FM, in 2003.
She has been very consistent on radio, transitioning from being a brunch-time host to a drive-time host, a morning show host, a secretary, and an event manager.
Later in the day, the forecourt of the AGA Club House almost came to a standstill as hundreds were feted and treated to various delicacies such as Hausa kooko, tea, fufu, banku and okro stew, jollof rice and yam and garden eggs stew.
Sponsored by Dela King, Osei Akwasi Boakye Enterprise, El- Shaddai, the food bazaar attracted guests who trooped to the center with their bowls to catch the fun.
Speaking with the media, Dr. Love Konadu said she was highly impressed with the patronage, adding it is a testament of the love the people of Obuasi has shown her throughout her 20 years in radio.
“I have always advocated for responsible journalism. Our people are discerning and will always embrace good and responsible Journalism. I urge my colleagues especially the up and coming ones to embrace responsible Journalism as it is the only means you can be relevant in the media space.”
Widely known as a songstress, reverend minister, and ambassador of the Obuasi Sikakrom Association, Dr. Love Konadu has carved a niche for herself as a philanthropist who has impacted positively on the lives of youth, women, and vulnerable members of society through her Mama Love Foundation.
According to the Executive Director of AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation, Dr Kwadwo Anim, the health screening was principally to screen people about various ailments and to conduct health talks to participants.
He said the focus however on lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes. He said they did blood sugar monitoring, BP checks, body mass indices, eye screen and voluntary HIV testing.
Dr. Anim said health talk was also on nutrition and lifestyle modifications as a means to ensuring optimum health care and improving the prevalence of non communicable diseases.
“We should offer preventive healthcare to ourselves as we would to our cars. Let’s go for check ups regularly as it will help us either identify diseases early for appropriate intervention or control them,” Dr. Anim admonished.
Patrons expressed their excitement for taking part in the activities to celebrate Dr. Love Konadu.
They lauded her for impacting positively on the lives of the people of Obuasi through her programmes on radio. They again commended her for her consistency on radio over the years.