Support The Living: Health Must Come Before Wealth

There must be a cultural shift in how we value life, health and material success. Too often, society celebrates people for the properties and wealth they accumulate while paying little attention to their physical and mental well-being.

We build houses, purchase land, expand businesses and save money for the future, yet many of us neglect regular medical check-ups, proper nutrition, exercise, rest and early treatment. We spend years creating wealth but sometimes fail to protect the health needed to enjoy it.

This mindset must change.
Preventive healthcare should become part of our everyday lives, not something reserved for the wealthy or pursued only when illness becomes severe. Regular health screening can help identify conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and kidney disease before they reach dangerous stages. Seeking medical attention early may save both lives and the high cost of emergency treatment.

Families and communities must also learn to support people while they are alive. It is troubling that contributions often come quickly for funerals, coffins, food and elaborate ceremonies, yet raising money for someone’s hospital treatment can become a painful struggle.

There is nothing wrong with giving the dead a dignified burial. However, there is greater value in helping a sick person receive treatment, recover and return home to their family.

Individuals must also take responsibility for their well-being. Building wealth is important, but health should be considered part of that wealth. A beautiful house offers little comfort if its owner is too ill to live in it. Money in the bank has limited meaning if preventable sickness takes away the opportunity to enjoy it.

Let us therefore redefine success. True prosperity is not measured only by houses, cars, businesses and bank balances. It also includes good health, peace of mind, strong relationships and the ability to enjoy the fruits of one’s labour.

Ghana needs a culture that encourages preventive care, supports the sick and values people before death. Let us contribute toward hospital bills with the same enthusiasm we show toward funeral expenses.

We must invest in our health, care for one another and support the living while there is still time to make a difference.

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