Lexis Bill advocates for recreation as public health infrastructure in Africa

At the recent African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) Technical Session in Durban, Ghanaian broadcaster and wellness advocate Louis Sakyiamah, popularly known as Lexis Bill, made a compelling case for positioning recreation as a core pillar of Africa’s public health framework.

Delivering his presentation, “Recreation: Powering Play”, Lexis Bill underscored that recreation is not a luxury, but a critical component of preventive healthcare. He urged African governments to integrate recreation into national policy frameworks, with clear budget allocations within the health, youth and sports, and education ministries to support sustainable recreational programs.

“Recreation is not just pastime, it is public health, social cohesion, mental wellness, youth engagement, and economic innovation rolled into one,” he stressed.

As the convener of the popular #WalkWithLexis fitness movement and former National Fitness Day Ambassador alongside Ghana’s then Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Lexis Bill has been a consistent voice for wellness advocacy across the continent.

A key element of his presentation was the call to leverage tourism as a driver for recreation under the Africa Creatives, Sports and Recreation (ACSAR) Programme.

“Tourism is not just an economic engine; it is a cultural amplifier. By integrating tourism into the Recreation pillar of ACSAR, we unlock the power of leisure to connect, heal, and empower both citizens and the continent’s global image,” he said.

Nyiko Khoza, Senior Programme Officer at AUDA-NEPAD, welcomed the proposal, highlighting the transformative potential of ACSAR.

“The ACSAR Programme is a bold step toward unlocking Africa’s creative and sporting potential. By integrating fashion, sports, and recreation, we are creating opportunities for millions of young Africans to thrive economically and socially, while fostering unity and cultural exchange across the continent,” Khoza noted.

The session formed part of the wider ACSAR technical convening, which brought together diplomatic leaders, creatives, private sector partners, and youth changemakers to shape a continent-wide framework for socio-economic growth through fashion, sport, and recreation.

This initiative reflects AUDA-NEPAD’s commitment to leveraging innovation and cross-sector partnerships to build a resilient, self-reliant Africa, where well-being is recognised as a strategic priority, not an afterthought.

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