President Akufo-Addo cuts sod for the commencement of the project
In the quest of the government to provide more health facilities to augment the country’s health system, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut sod for the construction of a 100-bed district hospital at Shama in the Western Region.
The construction of the facility, according to the President, is another important milestone of Government’s commitment to guaranteeing access to healthcare facilities for all Ghanaians.
The facility, once completed, will contribute to addressing the persistent challenges of high maternal and child health morbidity and mortality in the country.
It will also accelerate progress towards the achievement of the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through enhanced access to quality maternal and child health services.
The hospital will comprise a 16-unit accommodation for hospital workers, and will be constructed by Poly Changda, a company which has extensive experience in China and other parts of Africa in the construction of healthcare facilities.
The hospital will also have an accident and emergency unit; out-patient department with consulting rooms, physiotherapy unit, and adjunct facilities for dental, ophtalmology and ear, nose and throat treatments; in-patient wards for males, females and paediatrics; maternity ward with a well-designed neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU); three theatres for general cases, obstetrics and emergencies.
Funding
Cutting the sod for the commencement of the project, yesterday, President Akufo-Addo stated that the government has secured €32 million from Standard Chartered Bank, with a credit guarantee from Sinosure China, and an insurance cover of €1,960,812.28, for the project.
The President disclosed that the project components include two-year post warranty maintenance; training on medical equipment and new technologies introduced; provision of seed capital to provide six-months stock of hospital consumables; provision of a utility truck and an ambulance for hospital operations; and provision of ICT facilities to include the relevant software towards achieving a paper-light records management.
He urged all stakeholders to work assiduously and ensure that the project is delivered on time and on budget.
“Nananom, I am delighted and honoured by your presence here, and I assure all of you that this project is a sign of greater things to come for Shama, and, indeed, for the whole nation. Government’s commitment to the total development of Ghana is absolute,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo added: “Hopefully, with four more for Nana, I expect that all of us gathered here will be present again, God-willing, for the commissioning of this project, once it is completed”.
Transformational leadership
Meanwhile, the Divisional Chief of Apremdo Traditional Area, Nana Egya Kwamena XI, has lauded the leadership of President Akufo-Addo and his policies since assuming office.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of an integrated recycling and compost plant and wastewater treatment plant, at Asakae in the Effia-Kwesimintsim municipality yesterday, Nana Egya Kwamena XI stated that all Ghanaians, over the last three and a half years, have been witnesses to the “great works” of the President.
“Your policies are pro-poor and transformational. These are policies that transform the society through the individual. The Free SHS policy is one policy that will continue to live in the history as one of the transformational policies taken by a bold and decisive President. Mr President, we thank you for such boldness to move this country forward,” he said.
Touching on COVID-19, Nana Egya Kwamena XI commended the President “for your exceptional leadership during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected several countries. In difficult times as this, your exceptional leadership is what the people needed to move ahead.”
The measures being implemented by the President to defeat the pandemic, such as safety protocol enforcement, reduction in electricity and water bills, food distribution, amongst others, according to the Apremdo Chief, were difficult decisions, considering their fiscal impact on the budget overruns.
“However, as you placed more emphasis on protecting human lives, you did what you had to do to contain the spread of the deadly virus. it is not over yet, but we can confidently say that the measures were very effective,” he said.
