Okyehene runs marathon to mark day

The Okyehene Osagyefo Amaoatia Ofori Panyin joined the township of Kyebi on Saturday in a five kilometre marathon race as part of activities marking this year's World Aids Day.

The race, which began at 6:45 a.m. at Asikan, a suburb of Kyebi was led by the Okyehene and was patronised mostly by the youth.

The race was to create awareness among the people about HIV/Aids. It was under the theme "Break the Silence," that is, breaking the age-long tradition of chiefs not running in public.

Educational institutions such as Abuakwa State College, Ofori Panyin Secondary School, all from the Eastern Region and Osei Kyretwe Secondary School from Kumasi and other first and second cycle institutions in the Eastern Region participated in the race.

The marathon ended at 7:30a.m.in front of the Okyehene's Palace, where a grand durbar was held to climax the event.

After the race Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, immediate past President of Ghana Medical Association (GMA), who also took part in the marathon, told the GNA Sports that the exercise was a laudable one and must be applauded by everybody.

He said the Okyenhene has broken a taboo in order to create awareness about the deadly disease and called on all chiefs to join in the fight against the disease.