26 Jun Ghana’s 2025 Physical Activity Report Card: Children, Adolescents and CAWD

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As Ghana continues to urbanize and children’s daily movement patterns evolve, understanding physical activity behaviours and supports has become increasingly important, particularly given persistent gaps in disability-inclusive surveillance in many low- and middle-income countries. A new paper by Sofo et al., published in BMC Public Health, presents findings from the 2025 Ghana Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents. Led by members of Ghana’s Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Report Card team, the study provides an updated assessment of physical activity behaviors, supports, and surveillance systems affecting children and adolescents across the country.

Drawing on national surveillance data, research studies, policy documents, and program reports, the report card graded 10 indicators related to physical activity and its determinants among Ghanaian children and adolescents aged 5–17 years according to the AHKGA Global Matrix 5.0 framework.

Key findings included:

  • Overall Physical Activity received a grade of D−, with only 25% of children and adolescents meeting the physical activity benchmark.
  • Sedentary Behavior (B+) and Active Transportation (B) were the highest-graded indicators, with 78.4% below the high sedentary time threshold and 73% using active transportation to and from school.
  • School (D) and Community & Environment (D−) received low grades, highlighting challenges related to physical education delivery and access to suitable spaces for physical activity.
  • Government received a grade of B, reflecting existing policies, implementation efforts, funding, and accountability mechanisms.
  • For children and adolescents with disabilities and/or chronic conditions, 7 of 10 indicators were graded as incomplete due to insufficient evidence.

The findings highlight persistently low physical activity levels among Ghanaian children and adolescents despite strengths in active transportation and sedentary behavior. They also underscore the need for improved surveillance, stronger school and community supports, and more inclusive research and infrastructure for children and adolescents with disabilities and/or chronic conditions.

Reference

Sofo S, Nyawornota VK, Nyanyofio OCN, Osei I, Tay DA, Amoah PAA, Badasu DM, Darko RA, Seibu M, Lieberman L, Kwabai E, Boadi DA, Nartey J, Ocansey RTA. Ghana’s 2025 Physical Activity Report Card: Children, Adolescents and CAWD. BMC Public Health. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-27777-4.