PROFILE:

Professor Ajediran Idowu Bello is a licensed Physiotherapist, researcher and clinical educator with extensive experience in designing, evaluating and implementing high-quality rehabilitation programmes. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy and a Master of Science degree in Orthopaedics, Sports and Recreation Physiotherapy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, which he completed with a PhD-proceed Grade. The University of Ibadan awarded him a doctorate for his doctoral research, centered on Hydrotherapy and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, using participants from Ghana as the focus of his study. Professor Bello is a Scholar of Research in Stroke and Cardiovascular Training at the United States Fogarty International Center and the National Institutes of Health with the Ghana and Nigeria Faculty. He is also a founding fellow and faculty member of the Faculty of Orthopaedics, Sports and Manual Therapy at the Postgraduate Physiotherapy College of Nigeria. As the first Professor of Physiotherapy in the University of Ghana, his work has set a pioneering benchmark in the discipline. He is a hands-on team leader who has excelled in mentoring and motivating junior professionals and students to achieve peak performance, blending academic

expertise with clinical experience in training future physiotherapists and scholars. He currently serves as the School Examination Officer for the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences and the Coordinator of Postgraduate Programs in the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ghana.

Early Professional Career Explorations 

Professor Bello began his professional career as an Intern at the then Ogun State University Teaching Hospital (now Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital) in Shagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, in 1994, completing as an Outstanding Intern in 1995. He subsequently completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at St. Benedict Rehabilitation Center, Roman Catholic Mission Hospital, Ogoja, Cross River State, Nigeria, in 1995, where his exceptional performance led to a permanent appointment as Physiotherapist Grade II in November 1996. During his tenure at the St Benedict Rehabilitation Center, he actively participated in communityoriented services, including the Prevention of Disability program, under the Christoffel Blindenmission. Simultaneously, he served as the Socioeconomic Rehabilitation Officer with the German Leprosy Relief Association, where he was responsible for overseeing social welfare and rehabilitation programs for persons living with disabilities. He progressed to Principal Physiotherapist in 2004, holding the position until he transitioned into academia. 

Teaching and Mentoring

In 2007, Professor Bello was recruited as a Principal Research Assistant in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Ghana. He rapidly became a core member of the teaching staff, shaping his professional career through hands-on experience. Renowned for his expertise in movement science and musculoskeletal disorders, his teaching areas include kinesiology, pathokinesiology, clinical movement analysis, manual therapy, traumatic skeletal disorders, ergonomics and industrial physiotherapy. Since 2020, he has also served as a visiting professor at the Family Health Medical School, Accra. Professor Bello has supervised numerous undergraduate dissertations, including master’s theses, and currently oversees MPhil and PhD research projects. His contributions to curriculum development, accreditation processes and postgraduate education have been remarkable in Ghana and beyond. Notably, he contributed immensely to the accreditation of Ghana’s first postgraduate programme in physiotherapy and currently chairs the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee at the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ghana.

University Boards and Committees

Since 2008, Professor Bello has served as a member of multiple statutory and ad hoc committees at the department, school and university levels in the University of Ghana. He has held university management positions, serving as the Head of Department between 2014 and 2018, and as the Acting Head on several occasions since 2019. During his tenure, he facilitated the establishment of the Therapeutic Modality Laboratory and ensured the acquisition of adequate equipment to enhance preclinical training for physiotherapy students. He also established collaborations with the University of Ghana Sports Directorate, leading to a two-day seminar on injury prevention and management for coaches and athletes in 2015. Professor Bello is actively involved in examination matters at the school, college and university levels, serving as a member of the University Joint Examiner Board (2020‒2024), Chairman of the Inter-School Committee on Examination Malpractices for the College of Health Sciences (2020–2024) and also chair the Examination Committee of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences since 2022 to date.

Public Service and Contributions to Professional Development

Beyond academia, Professor Bello has played a pivotal role in advancing physiotherapy nationally and internationally. Since 2010, he has served on scientific committees for the World Confederation for Physical Therapy—Africa Region and the Ghana Physiotherapy Association. At different periods between 2020 and 2025, he chaired the Physiotherapy Guideline Development Committee for COVID-19 management and the Curriculum Development Committee for the Doctor of Physical Therapy training program, formed by the Ghana Physiotherapy Association. In June 2021, Professor Bello participated in the WHO Peer Review Group for the Global Package of Rehabilitation Interventions for Amputations. Additionally in 2022, he contributed to the development of the WHO Guidelines for Rehabilitation Workforce Evaluation (GROWE). He also reviews curricula and performs academic programme accreditations for the Allied Health Professions Council–Ghana and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission. He was a volunteer (physiotherapist) during the Africa Cup for Nations Hockey Tournament and the first Accra International Marathon Race in 2009.

Consultancy Services

Professor Bello has consulted for several organisations, including the Central Bank of Ghana, providing office chair ergonomic assessments and physiotherapy services between 2009 and 2021. In addition, he served as a co-consultant for a two-year mine-wide ergonomic survey, which secured a US$10,500 seed grant from AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem Mines) in Tarkwa, Ghana. As part of the project, he led musculoskeletal assessments for mineworkers at the worksite.

Research Interests and Publications

Professor Bello’s research focuses on innovative therapeutic approaches to managing chronic musculoskeletal disorders. He primarily employs quantitative research methodologies, having successfully secured multiple local research grants as a principal investigator or co-investigator. He has authored 58 peer-reviewed journal articles, six book chapters, and one book, significantly advancing the field of physiotherapy, as well as supporting policy briefs and reforms.

Notable Seminar and Conference Presentations

Professor Bello has presented his research findings at numerous national and international conferences, including a sports injury presentation at the maiden conference of the International Sports Science and Sports Medicine, held in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, where he was one of only two African presenters. Additionally, he has shared his research at scientific conferences hosted by the Ghana Physiotherapy Association, College of Health Sciences, World Confederation for Physical Therapy–Africa Region and the World Physiotherapy.

Communication and Public Engagements

Professor Bello has addressed diverse audiences on critical health topics as a keynote speaker. Notable engagements include: "Positive Work Environment"—Inter-faculty lecture series, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana in 2011; "Physiotherapy in Cancer Prevention"—Second Annual Public Lecture, organised by the Ghana Physiotherapy Association; "Predictors of Successful Aging"—Monthly Fellowship, Rotary Club of Accra-East (District 9102-Ghana) in April, 2016. The Ministry of Health also invited him as a Guest Speaker for both the Seventh Induction and Oath-taking Ceremony for Allied Health Graduates in Ghana (September, 2017), and the Maiden Allied Health Key Stakeholders’ Meeting (September 29, 2023).

Professional Affiliations

Professor Bello's affiliations with key professional organisations are significant, underscoring his influence in the field of Physiotherapy. He is a registered Physiotherapist with the Allied Health Professions Council of Ghana and a member of the World Physiotherapy Africa and World Physiotherapy organisations. He is affiliated with the Ghana Physiotherapy Association, the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, the Ghana Association of Writers and the International Association of Ethics Education.

Editorial Experience

With his considerable editorial experience, Professor Bello served as Editor-in-Chief of the Ghana Journal of Physiotherapy and Ghana Physio News from 2012 to 2014. He has reviewed manuscripts for local and international journals. He is also a Freelance Academic Editor for Crimson Interactive, ENAGO Publication Support, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Honors and Awards

Professor Bello’s contributions have earned him numerous honours, including the International Service Award (education) from the World Physiotherapy Congress Board in Dubai, UAE (2023); citations of recognition from the Ghana Physiotherapy Association and the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Ghana, as well as the Elsevier Journal-sponsored Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress (2017).

Family

Professor Bello originates from Oke-Amu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area, Oyo State (SouthWest), Nigeria. He is a dedicated family man, married to Kudirat Olanrewaju Bello and together they are blessed with three children: Hosefat Ajebukola, Bello, Muiz Ajeola Bello and Rahmat Ajetayo Bello.

Hobbies

Professor Bello enjoys listening to local juju and jazz music. He is also a follower of English premiership football league, and an ardent supporter of Liverpool Football Club.

ABSTRACT

Human body movement is essential for social participation, independence and inclusion in society. It enables individuals to access education, engage in employment and participate in community activities, thereby fostering dignity and reducing dependence. Mobility also supports emotional well-being by promoting confidence and minimising social isolation. For individuals living with disabilities, accessible and effective mobility is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities while fostering social engagement. The ability to move freely is essential not only for physical functioning but also for engaging in meaningful interactions, fostering personal development and enhancing the quality of life in society. The worst form of incarceration that could befall a person is a life without movement, given its accompanying physical, social, emotional and cognitive adverse effects. In the event of threats (impairments) to movement and functional ability due to aging, injury, disease conditions, disorders or environmental factors, physiotherapy becomes crucial. Physiotherapists provide services aimed at developing, maintaining and restoring maximum movement, thereby promoting overall health and quality of life. The human musculoskeletal system, which is a subset of the more complex human locomotor system, is the primary facilitator of human body movement. This system comprises bones and various elements necessary for movement, including muscles, tendons, ligaments and supporting structures, along with their nerve and blood supplies, which constitute approximately 75% of the human body. The musculoskeletal system serves as a platform for secondary health problems, stemming from other systems in the human body. Thus, impairments or insults to the components of the musculoskeletal system often lead to various regional body pain and dysfunctions referred to as musculoskeletal disorders. Globally, musculoskeletal disorders are among the leading contributors to disability, accounting for 16% of all Years Lived with Disability (YLD)—a metric indicating the burden of disability, injury or disease based on severity. Up to 30% of the global adult population experiences chronic musculoskeletal pain. In Ghana, the prevalence of low back pain among adults is estimated at 70.1% and knee osteoarthritis accounts for 20% of all musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, the lifetime risk of knee osteoarthritis is projected at 45%, with a 13.8% prevalence among individuals aged 50 years and older, predominantly affecting females. The epidemiological transition of diseases in low- and middle-income countries necessitates a deeper understanding of musculoskeletal disorder patterns and context-specific risk factors to inform pragmatic management strategies. Despite remarkable healthcare advancements, musculoskeletal disorders remain a leading cause of disability worldwide. Given the limited resources in developing countries and latent clinical manifestations of these disorders, urgent actions are needed to curtail their menace to enhance human safety and optimal quality of life. Leveraging three decades of professional practice and academic experience in Physiotherapy, my scholarly work emphasises body movement as the cornerstone of human functionality. This inaugural lecture aims to address critical gaps in musculoskeletal health within key people centered service sectors in Ghana, notably healthcare settings (including child welfare and antenatal clinics), educational institutions and the mining industry. The lecture explicitly explores three major thematic concerns within low-resource settings: 1) The increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders across service sectors in Ghana; 2) The absence of an integrative approach for addressing the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders; 3) The strategic actions to prioritize musculoskeletal disorders as a public health concern. Despite global recommendations by the WHO, the requisite knowledge of the pregnant women about birth defects is barely evaluated during antenatal care. Similarly, the periodic health screening for developmental delay is not commonly performed for children before the age of five, and musculoskeletal disorders for either adolescents or adults at entry points of education, service, and industry sectors. These identified gaps underscore the need for multi-sectoral screening of the population for risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Through institution-based physical health screenings across healthcare settings, selected basic schools and formal mining industries in Ghana, my research team identified the significant prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and high risks of exposure to related disorders. This lecture presents findings from my collaborative studies, justifying policy briefs that support periodic screening in the identified sectors. The lecture advocates a shift in care pathways for effective management strategies in the form of an integrative care approach rather than approaches targeting isolated conditions. It demystifies the principles of longitudinally supported self-management models, needs assessment for optimal work conditions and modification of physical modalities and approaches for optimal care outcomes—all proven to be most effective in low-resource settings. The lecture concludes by advocating for comprehensive action plans to manage musculoskeletal disorders in both local and international contexts, promoting positive strategies for primary prevention and prioritising musculoskeletal disorders as public health issues. Through the findings presented and integrative approaches identified for sustainable methods of care, the lecture supports the global agenda on technology-driven rehabilitation to improve productivity, reduce economic burdens on individuals and families and enhance greater sustainability for service sectors.