Ghana and India have deepened their partnership on wellness and healthy living with the celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga, held at the historic Osu Christianborg Castle in Accra. The event, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” brought together dignitaries, sports and health leaders, yoga enthusiasts, and the diplomatic community in a vibrant show of commitment to promoting holistic health and well-being.
High Commissioner of India to Ghana, Mr. Manish Gupta, in his keynote remarks, spoke about yoga’s timeless relevance, describing it as a “universal heritage of mankind” with origins in India over 5,000 years ago. He noted that yoga’s integration of body, mind, and soul offers a path to inner peace and harmony with the environment, an important message as the world grapples with both mental health challenges and environmental crises.
“The 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day reminds us that our well-being is intricately linked with the health of our planet,” Mr. Gupta said. “Yoga transcends borders and is increasingly becoming a mass movement for public good.”
Mr. Gupta commended the participation of yoga schools, practitioners, and supporters across Ghana, acknowledging their role in advancing the cause. He also expressed gratitude to key partners including Yoga Experiences Africa, Rabito, P4Pilates, Art of Living, and corporate sponsors like B5 Plus and Pharmanova for supporting the nationwide celebration, which included events in Cape Coast, Ho, Kumasi, Tamale, and Accra.
Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr. Kofi Adams revealed that yoga will be formally integrated into all national recreational activities.
“As a ministry, we are committed to redefining the role of sport and physical activity in national development,” Mr. Adams said. “Our collaboration with the High Commission of India ensures yoga will become part of our National Recreation Day and other wellness initiatives to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.”
Mr. Adams praised India’s broader contribution to sports development in Ghana, particularly in cricket, and thanked the High Commission for supporting Ghana’s participation in the Cuckoo World Cup and other cultural exchange initiatives.
He called on Ghanaians to adopt practices like yoga that strengthen the body and mind, and urged development partners to join efforts to foster a culture of movement, mindfulness, and wellness across the nation.
The day’s event, set against the backdrop of the historic Osu Castle, under the sponsorship of M&G Pharmaceuticals, Multipac Ghana Ltd, B5 Plus Group, IndGha Packaging Pvt. Ltd and Pharmanova Ghana Ltd, served not just as a celebration of yoga’s global appeal, but as a call to action for deeper cooperation between India and Ghana on health, youth development, and cultural exchange.
