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World Vision Ghana/Korea hands over KIA Green Light Health Project to Saamang community
World Vision Ghana/Korea in partnership with KIA has handed over the KIA Green Light Health Project to people of Saamang and its surrounding communities in the Osino sub-district of the Fanteakwa South District Assembly in the Eastern region.
The project which started in July 2018 and ended on June 2023, included a fully furnished Health Center, Health staff accommodation facilities, a 2000-bird capacity poultry farm, Procured Mobile Health Clinic van, Medical equipment and supplies and 2000 poultry birds.
The project which cost US$1, 090,000 was purposed to improve access to quality health care services, reduce maternal and child mortality and mobility.
It is also expected to reduce the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases among children under five and to reduce malnutrition among children under five in the beneficiary communities.
Other partners of the project included Ghana Health Service (GHS), Department of Agriculture, Fanteakwa South District Assembly, Kibi Gold Fields, BSD Support Services, Transeco Minerals and Mines Company and the Project communities.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the National Director of World Vision Ghana, Madam Laura Del Valle said the project started following the request from the GHS to provide health facilities to support comprehensive care for community members.
She said, in collaboration with KIA and other partners, the project which started five years ago, has been completed, adding that additional activities including capacity building for institutions, community, and household levels in health, nutrition and advocacy has been done.
She hoped that the health facility would improve health care services in the area and the 2000 bird capacity poultry farm would generate additional funding to ensure continuous operationalization of the health facilities, Saamang development projects and maintenance of the poultry farm.
“World Vision Ghana/Korea and partners will continue to promote the health and wellbeing of the people of Fanteakwa South District and Ghana at large. We are excited to work together towards the universal health coverage by the WHO,” the National Director of World Vision Ghana stated.
For his part, the Integrated Programmes Director for the KIA Green Light Health Project, Justice Baidoo said, the project achievements were envisaged to serve the Osino sub-district and beyond.
He revealed that a total of 21, 227 people were expected to benefit directly from the project, while 37, 145 would indirectly benefit as well.
“We believe the achievements will help households improve their health, nutrition and increase household’s income among others,” he said.
The Deputy Director- General of the GHS who represented the Director General of the GHS, Dr Antony Adofo Ofosu expressed gratitude to the World Vision, KIA and its partners, for their hard work and dedication in making the project come to pass.
He indicated that the GHS was mandated to deliver quality health care to the people in the community and country, “however, improving on health infrastructure is critical in facilitating this asset but given our limited budget for capital expenditure it has been difficult to expand the health infrastructure at the planned pace that we would have loved.”
He stated that the GHS appreciated any support they received from stakeholders and entreated other stakeholders with the means to also come on board to support the GHS to provide access to quality health care for all communities in Ghana.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Kofi Agyekum thanked the donors and partners for their kind gesture and promised to keep good maintenance of the facilities.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Saamang
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
