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Mayor of Accra commissions new storage facility at Mamprobi Hospital
The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has commissioned a newly constructed storage facility at the Mamprobi Hospital in the Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District to improve the hospital’s capacity to manage medical logistics and enhance healthcare delivery.
The newly constructed facility features two offices, a washroom, and a fully air-conditioned storage area purpose-built for housing hospital consumables.
Speaking at a brief ceremony held on the hospital premises on Monday, Mayor acknowledged the limited space at the Mamprobi site, assuring that more work would be done to enhance healthcare infrastructure in the metropolis.
He noted that, upon being briefed by the Coordinating Director about the status of the project, he immediately gave instructions for the facility to be opened to the public on the following Monday, considering its importance.
Mayor Allotey reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing healthcare across the metropolis, stating that necessary upgrades would be undertaken where needed, while renovations would be executed wherever required to improve service delivery.
He emphasised his vision to make hospital visits more welcoming and comfortable for residents, stressing that his administration would prioritise infrastructural upgrades to foster a sense of satisfaction among patients.
The Mayor also urged hospital managers to treat the facility as they would care for a child, explaining that just as no parent would mistreat their child, the same level of care and commitment should be applied to maintaining the facility to ensure its sustainability.
Acting Head of Works Department of the AMA, Mr. Samuel Lartey Mantey, who presented the scope of work, noted that the Assembly was deliberate in designing a facility that meets the specific needs of a growing hospital like Mamprobi.
“This is not just an ordinary storage facility. It includes two offices, a washroom, and a fully air-conditioned storage area specifically designed for hospital consumables. Because of the nature of the items to be stored, we ensured proper temperature control to preserve their quality,” Mr. Mantey said.
He disclosed that provisions had been made for future expansion, acknowledging the limited land space in Accra.
The Acting Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) for the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Robert Amesiya, who expressed gratitude to the Mayor of Accra and AMA for the newly commissioned storage facility at Mamprobi Hospital, said he was particularly pleased that the Assembly had factored in the scarcity of land in the capital by designing the structure with a ground floor and a provision for a future top floor expansion.
Dr. Amesiya also used the occasion to highlight the pressing infrastructure challenges facing other health facilities within the metropolis, citing the Princess Marie Louise and Ussher Hospitals.
He commended Mayor Kpakpo Allotey for making healthcare a priority and pledged that the staff of the Ghana Health Service would continue to support the Assembly’s vision to improve healthcare delivery in Accra.
“We will do our best to ensure that your dream is realised,” he added.
The Medical Superintendent of Mamprobi Hospital, Dr Charlotte-Alberta Cato expressed deep appreciation for the facility, describing it as timely and essential for their operations.
“Honourable Mayor, Regional Director, Naa Mei, and all gathered, today is a day we’ve long looked forward to. We are a young hospital, having transitioned from a health post to a full hospital in 2020. This edifice will go a long way to improving service delivery. We are grateful for this support,” he remarked.
Present at the event were the Coordinating Director of AMA, Douglas N.K Annoful, Finance Director of AMA, Abeeku Amissah, Traditional leaders, medical professionals, Assembly members and the Sub-Metro Director for Ablekuma South Sub-Metro, among others.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
