{
  "id": 12915122,
  "title": "Our lifestyles may be killing us but our spatial planning is too",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/our-lifestyles-may-be-killing-us-but-our-spatial-planning-is-too",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-08T16:54:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/our-lifestyles-may-be-killing-us-but-our-spatial-planning-is-too/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Dr Kow Entsua-Mensah, warned of the growing threat of cardiovascular diseases during the launch of World Heart Day 2026 in Accra. He emphasized that factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption can damage the cardiovascular system before an individual realizes the danger. Dr Entsua-Mensah called for collaboration among various sectors of society to combat these diseases, including the government, healthcare institutions, corporate organizations, schools, workplaces, faith-based organizations, civil society, and the media.\n\nHowever, the report highlights a significant issue: Ghana's spatial planning has not prioritized healthy living, which contributes to the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Streets and neighborhoods lack adequate space for outdoor exercise, with narrow streets crowded with shops, hawkers, motorbikes, and tricycles, making it difficult for residents to engage in physical activity. In many fast-growing suburbs, green spaces have been replaced by high walls, electric fencing, and commercial establishments, leaving little room for parks, walkways, or open fields.\n\nThe report also points out the lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, with sidewalks often converted into furniture showrooms, mechanic workshops, or tomato markets. Sidewalks that do exist are frequently obstructed by parked vehicles, making it unsafe for pedestrians to walk. Furthermore, the availability of fried, salty, and sugary foods near lorry stations and school gates makes it difficult for people to choose healthy options, exacerbating the problem of unhealthy diets.\n\nThe solution, according to the report, lies in reforming spatial planning laws and enforcing them strictly. New estates should be required to provide parks and walkways before being granted permits, and existing sidewalks should be reclaimed from traders and vehicles. Streetlights must be improved to ensure safety during evening walks, and schools should protect their playing fields from being sold or filled with buildings. Workplaces can also encourage outdoor activities to promote a fitness culture and combat the health crisis.",
  "summary": "A few weeks ago, at the launch of World Heart Day 2026 at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, the Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCC), Dr Kow Entsua-Mensah, made some pronouncements about “the growing threat of cardiovascular diseases,” which set a lot of Ghanaians on edge.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}