By: Abert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh
As part of efforts to achieve goal number 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals, the government and people of Japan have built an ultra-modern Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Dededo, a farming community in the Ho West District of the Volta Region.
The about $90,000 facility with an adjoining four apartment nurses’ quarters (fully furnished), formed part of eight projects funded by the Japanese Government’s Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) across the country.
Speaking at a durbar to commission the facility, the Chief of the town, Togbe Azadagli Dededo I was full of appreciation and prayed the good Lord to bless the donors.
Togbe Dededo indicated that health delivery in Dededo, made up of over five communities with a population of about ten thousand was a challenge due to inadequate health facilities, befitting accommodation for staff, equipment, proximity among other hindrances.
He noted that there was just one nurse with her assistant providing health care for the entire population in an outmoded structure coupled with lack of working equipment which compelled residents to travel to Asikuma, Peki, Tsito or Ho which are distances away from the community for health care.
Togbe Azadagli disclosed that the community made some attempt to improve the situation but failed, thus, approached Volta-based non-governmental organisation called Avatime Gemi-Otago Eco Tourism Society (AGOETOUSO) for help.
He said AGOETOUSO through the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, made a report to the Japanese Government leading to the release of the grant for construction of the facility in 2018.
The Chief called on the government and the Ghana Health Service to upgrade the CHPS compound to a clinic or hospital status to ensure quality health delivery to the growing population of the area and appealed to management of Zoomlion Company Limited to provide the community with waste bin to help improve sanitation.
Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Tsutomo Himeno who commissioned the facility was full of joy and commended the community for the spirit of communal labour saying, the project was motivated by Japan’s relationship with Ghana, the spirit of communal labour exhibited by the people of Dededo and the day to day collaboration of their MP, Hon. Bedzrah.
Amb. Himeno said health was needed in every aspect of life hence government and people of Japan were ready to contribute to ensure the well-being of the people and urged Dededo resident to take good care of the facility in order to motivate the Japan government to do more.
MP for the area, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah assured of his readiness to support constituents and work with chiefs and people of Dededo to ensure the right thing was done always.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
