The Ghana Red Cross Society in the Upper West Region has stepped up efforts to reconnect with communities through a health walk aimed at promoting visibility, youth participation, and renewed interest in humanitarian service.
The event, held in Wa in collaboration with the Airborne Cadet Group, brought together school pupils, university students, and volunteers from institutions including Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, the University for Business and Integrated Development Studies, and Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education.
Participants marched through principal streets carrying placards promoting core Red Cross principles such as impartiality and neutrality, while also calling attention to the organisation’s commitment to saving lives without discrimination.
According to Abdul-Rauf Issahaque, Acting Upper West Regional Manager of the GRCS, the initiative was designed both as a public awareness drive and a platform to encourage healthy lifestyles through regular physical activity.
He added that the Society is planning additional engagement programmes, including a sports festival with the Airborne Scouts, as part of efforts to strengthen community partnerships.
The National Youth Representative of the GRCS, Razak Abudi, used the occasion to call on young people to embrace volunteerism, describing Red Cross service as a selfless commitment to humanity rather than a pursuit of reward.
He expressed concern about what he described as a declining culture of volunteer service, stressing that societal progress has historically depended on individuals willing to contribute their time to community welfare.
The health walk also forms part of a broader rebranding and outreach strategy by the Society aimed at restoring its visibility and strengthening its presence across communities in the region.
As part of this renewed engagement drive, the organisation has recently interacted with traditional leaders, including the Fulbe Chief and the Overlord of Wa, and conducted health screenings and sensitisation activities in communities such as Loho in the Nadowli-Kaleo District.
The initiative aligns with a broader transformation agenda outlined by the Secretary General of the GRCS during a recent visit to the region, which prioritises improved visibility, youth involvement, and stronger community-level engagement in humanitarian work.
