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Philanthropist appeals for support for Effia Nkwanta Hospital From Peter Gbambila, Takoradi
The Director of Dakah Analytica and DA Foundation, Dodzi Koku Hattoh, has appealed to the government, the oil companies, mining companies and the good people of the Western Region to come to the aid of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH) to be recognised as a referral hospital befitting the region.
He said ENRH as it stood today was full of dilapidated buildings not fit for human habitat because no meaningful renovation has taken place since the hospital was built in 1945.
Hattoh was speaking to The Spectator in an exclusive interview after he handed over the Child Support Unit which he renovated to be used as a holding bay for COVID-19 patients. He said most of the buildings were very old and well designed with so many cracks that no human could agree to work in those structures.
The dilapidated structure was initially to be renovated for children, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it obvious for the structure to be used for the patients and would be converted back as Child Support Unit after COVID-19.
He said the region was well-endowed with so many natural resources like gold, manganese, bauxite, timber and recently the discovery of oil in large quantities.
The director told the The Spectator that it was not fair for important people to be lying in the same ward with the general public because privacy would be compromised.
He said in emergency cases people would have to receive first treatment at ENRH before referral and wondered how dignitaries could be admitted in the same ward with others.
According to him, there were enough avenues for companies to come and adopt some wards and their employees could be admitted into those wards.
He appealed to the traditional authorities to support ENRH for the hospital belonged to them.
The Medical Director of ENRH, Dr Joseph Tambil, who bemoaned the current situation of the hospital, said monies deducted from officers occupying official bungalows were not remitted to the hospital for renovation.
He said the mining, oil and timber companies must finance some projects in the hospital as all the wards which were supposed to be used for the VIPs were in very bad state and could not accommodate any dignitary.
Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central Kwame Asare Obeng, widely known as A Plus, is calling on young people to take hypertension seriously by checking their blood pressure regularly and taking prescribed medication to prevent sudden deaths and stroke.
In a message shared to the public, the MP noted that cases of young people dying from high blood pressure are rising, even though the condition is preventable.
He mentioned that many refuse to go for checkups, and those who later discover they have hypertension still stop or avoid taking their medication.
He expressed worry that some men refuse treatment because they believe blood pressure drugs affect their sexual performance, a belief he described as misleading.
A Plus stressed that staying alive and healthy should be the priority, adding that complications from uncontrolled hypertension could lead to stroke and long term disability.
He encouraged the youth, especially men, to get their blood pressure tested and take treatment seriously to protect their health and future.
A Plus urged the public to spread the message so more people will take action on their health.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has met first term Members of Parliament to strengthen cooperation between his office and newly elected legislators.
The engagement was organised to help build better working relations and improve communication within the House.
Bagbin stressed the value of open interaction and mentioned that similar sessions will later involve continuing MPs, the media and the public through televised programmes.
He reiterated the 9th Parliament’s goal of promoting openness and inclusion, describing integrity, honesty, civility and participation as key values for national progress.
He encouraged the creation of a mentorship system to allow experienced members to guide new ones.
Bagbin reflected on the growth of Ghana’s legislature over the years, noting a shift from strong partisan conduct to a more mature multiparty atmosphere.
He urged MPs to maintain their party identity while working together for development.
Present at the meeting were the Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Deputy Majority Whip Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe and the Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei.
By: Jacob Aggrey
