Good Life Campaign Chalks Success

The 'Good Life Health' promotion campaign has recorded significant impact in the country's health sector, showing impressive gains in ante-natal attendance, children sleeping under insecticide treated nets, exclusive breastfeeding and personal hygiene practices like handwashing.

The health promotion campaign, instituted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the United State Agency for International Development, (USAID), to convey important health messages around malaria, family planning, HIV, among other health issues, recorded a stunning 99.9 percent of ante-natal visits after six years of implementation.

The campaign also helped in increasing the proportion of children less than five years who slept under insecticide treated nets (ITNs) from 27 percent to 37 percent within the same period.

Also, the proportion of infants who received something other than breastmilk within the first three days after birth decreased almost by half from 36 percent to 17.5 percent during the campaign.

The campaign also increased the personal hygiene of citizens who washed their hands with soap before preparing food, from six to nine percent.

Dr Gloria Quansah Asare, Deputy Director General of GHS, giving an overview of the project, stated that the health promotion campaign which was launched 10 years ago encouraged reflections about what makes life good, linking personal happiness to the practice of healthy behaviours.

She was, therefore, glad the initial campaign which consisted of TV and radio sports and TV games shows resonated with the changing Ghanaian society.

Refreshed Good Life
Dr Quansah Asare said after a successful initial campaign, the partnering agencies had refreshed 'Good Life' into a consisted and recognisable brand that connects with board sections of the Ghanaian population.

She said the new 'Good Life' brand is about everyday people doing everyday things to care for their health.

“The new 'Good Life' is about simple actions. The doable actions that lead to making the right choice to protect ones health,” she added.

Dr Quansah Asare mentioned that the refreshed 'Good Life' is a trusted friend, faithful companion and a guide for healthier, happier living.

Edward Adimazoya, Deputy Chief of Party Communicate for Health, implementers of the programme, disclosed that “we hope to address 'Good Life' in all life's stages with long life at its core.”

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri