She added that the conditions at the markets combined with the long hours they had been sitting, made it imperative that they visited the hospital for periodic medical examination.Mrs. Osei Mensah gave the advice during a medical outreach programme and free health screening exercise held at the Kumasi Central Market.

This was organized by the Prenkwa Health Post, located right inside the market, in partnership with the Withrow University College at Agona-Asamang and “A Wealth of Women Ghana”, an NGO.

It provided the opportunity to educate the market women on healthy lifestyles - eating good diet, regular physical exercises and the need to check their sugar levels, blood pressure and weight. Prenkwa Health Post was established, three years ago, not only to provide medical counselling and education but also offer first line health services to the women, whose job made it difficult for them to find time to go to the hospital.

Mrs. Abigal Osei Tutu Agyeman, Clinical Coordinator of the Withrow University College, who led the exercise, said continued education was important to encourage and aid the traders to become more concerned about their health.She said the screening exercise uncovered high blood pressure and high sugar levels among many of the beneficiaries and advised that they checked their diet and regularly exercised their bodies.

Dr. Sandi Williams, Executive Director of “A Wealth of Women Ghana”, said women empowerment was at the heart and thinking of his organization. It would therefore continue to support the Health Post with medical consumables and drugs.   Mrs. Serwaah Kyeremanteng, Founder of Prenkwa Health Post, said the programme was organized to commemorate the third anniversary of the establishment of the facility.