Held on May 27 and 28, 2026, the campaign reached hundreds of residents through a comprehensive package of services designed to improve wellbeing and strengthen livelihoods. Organized by IVG, a community-driven initiative dedicated to empowering women and youth in underserved communities, the campaign addressed critical healthcare gaps while creating opportunities for learning, dialogue, and sustainable development.
Eye screening
One of the major highlights of the programme was a free eye screening exercise conducted in partnership with AMEC Vision. More than 300 residents received professional eye examinations, many for the first time in years.
The screenings identified vision challenges that had gone undiagnosed due to limited access to affordable eye care services.
Traditional leaders, including Akumahene Nana Sem Boateng II, Queenmother Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie, and newly installed Asuanohene Ebenezer Owusu, actively participated in the exercise, encouraging widespread community involvement. After his own screening, Chief Ebenezer Owusu was prescribed corrective lenses, demonstrating the importance of preventive eye care and inspiring many residents to seek treatment.
NHIS renewal/registration
The campaign also addressed another pressing challenge facing rural communities: access to health insurance. Free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration and renewal services revealed that many residents had gone years without active coverage due to financial difficulties, travel constraints, and limited access to renewal centres.
Several participants reported that they had not renewed their NHIS cards for more than a decade. Through the intervention, community members were able to renew memberships, receive guidance on healthcare access, and regain confidence in seeking medical treatment when needed.
Preventive health care
Preventive healthcare formed another key component of the initiative. Working alongside the Akuma Health Center and Donkro Nkwanta Health Center, IVG organized free health screenings that assessed blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other vital health indicators. Healthcare professionals provided counselling on nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyles, while individuals identified with elevated risk factors were referred for further medical care. The screenings highlighted the importance of early detection and prevention, particularly in communities where routine health checks are often overlooked.
General wellbeing
Beyond healthcare, the campaign created safe spaces for conversations on mental health, youth innovation, entrepreneurship, and agribusiness. Community members openly discussed emotional wellbeing, stress management, social pressures, and strategies for seeking support. For many participants, it was their first opportunity to engage in mental health discussions in a supportive environment. At the same time, entrepreneurship and agribusiness sessions encouraged residents to explore income-generating opportunities using locally available resources, fostering ideas that could contribute to long-term economic growth.
All hands on deck
Community leaders also took active roles in these discussions. Akuma Queenmother Nana Agyeiwaa Okodie participated in both the health screenings and dialogue sessions, emphasizing the importance of bringing health education, wellness awareness, and economic empowerment initiatives directly to rural communities. Her involvement reinforced the campaign’s message that sustainable development requires collaboration among traditional authorities, healthcare institutions, and community members.
According to Madam So Abapa Boateng, the Founder and Executive Director of IVG, the Healthy Life Happy Life Campaign reflects the organization’s broader mission of empowering women and youth through leadership development, mental health awareness, education, skills development, and community-driven solutions.
“By integrating healthcare services with economic empowerment and social wellbeing initiatives, the programme demonstrated how holistic interventions can build healthier, more resilient communities,” she added.
For the hundreds of residents who received medical screenings, renewed health insurance coverage, participated in mental health discussions, or explored new economic opportunities, the campaign delivered more than services—it offered hope, knowledge, and a renewed vision for healthier and more prosperous futures.
