Report by: Ishmael Barfi
Another sod cutting for the construction of a sixteen (16) bed fully equipped Health Center by the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Mrs Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has taken place Kwame Anum, a township in the Ga South Municipality.
This facility, being constructed with funding by the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation (IMPF), will serve the over eighty-two thousand (82,000) population of Kofi Anum, Ashalaja and other surrounding communities as well complement the services rendered by the Obom Health Centre, which happens to be the only health facility in the Obom sub-district.
Speaking at Sod cutting ceremony, the First Lady who doubles up as the founder of the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation indicated that, she and her Organization strongly believes that; access to quality healthcare is a basic human right, hence very passionate when it comes to bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of Ghanaians.
Adding that, the provision of health care facilities in communities that urgently them is part of what the Foundation does and Obom Sub-district in the Ga South is one of such community.
She therefore expressed optimism that, when completed by the end of the year, the new health facility will be well staffed that, workers posted to the facility will work tirelessly to provide the critical services needed, hence provide the desired quality of care.
This she believes will go a long way to take pressure off the Obom Health Centre, while making access to quality healthcare accessible and closer to the people of Obom and its surroundings.
The First Lady also used the occasion to urged Organisations and Institutions to support the quest for universal primary healthcare stating, “For everyone to have reasonable access to quality health care irrespective of where they live, every community deserves to have a range of both preventive and curative healthcare by skilled providers”.
Her Excellency Mrs Akufo-Addo on behalf of Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation also thanked the political, Traditional and Opinion leaders in Ga- South Municipality for the smooth take off the project and support and hoped that, they continue to provide protection for the workers and equipments on site to ensure the successful and timely completion of the health facility for the benefit of all.
And also used the occasion to encourage the practice of sleeping under treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria as well as advised pregnant mothers to attend antenatal clinics, test for HIV, and exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least six (6) months for better health.
On behalf of the people of Kwame Anum, the Chief, Nii Kwame Anum, expressing his profound gratitude to Mrs. Akufo-Addo and the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation for considering their community for such a useful Health facility project, describing it as a timely relief in the face of the rapid rate of population increase in the Ga South Municipality with its attendant pressure on social infrastructures.
Other traditional and political dignitaries who graced the ceremony were Hon. Member of Parliament for Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro, Hon. Habib Saad ; Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ga South Municipal Assembly, Hon, Joseph Nyami Stephens and, the Ga South Municipal Director of Health Services and other invited dignitaries within the Ga South Municipality.
