President inaugurates 4 hospitals, bridge over Owabi River

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated four 40-bed district hospitals in the Ashanti Region to improve healthcare in the region.

The ceremonies took place last Monday at various sites across the region.

The facilities are located in Drobonso in the Sekyere Afram Plains District, Sabronum in the Ahafo Ano South East District, Twedie in  the Atwima Kwanwoma District and Suame 
in the Suame Municipality.

A fifth hospital in Manso Nkwanta in the Amansie West District has also been completed and is set to be inaugurated soon.

Broader initiative

The construction of the hospitals forms part of a larger initiative launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Health.

This initiative aimed to deliver 12 district hospitals across Ashanti, Eastern and Greater Accra regions, along with a polyclinic in Mim in the Bono Region.

Executed by VAMED Engineering GmbH of Austria, the €71.5 million project was funded through a facility secured from Erste Group Bank AG and Česká Spořitelna a.s.

The facilities

Each 40-bed hospital is equipped with modern amenities, including Out-Patient Departments, consulting rooms, a Public Health Department with a 36-seater waiting area and consulting rooms, surgical theatres, paediatric wards, male and female wards; Maternity and labour delivery stations, recovery rooms and lying-in wards.

The newly opened Atafoa Bridge over the Owabi River at Bantama

Other facilities are staff accommodation, consisting of 12 units of two-bedroom semi-detached houses.

The President said the facilities would provide comprehensive healthcare services to address the needs of both patients and staff.

Maintenance

President Akufo-Addo urged hospital staff and the residents to ensure the proper maintenance and administration of the new facilities.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure to enhance the well-being of all Ghanaians, adding that those hospitals represented the government's dedication to improving the health status of residents by providing accessible and quality healthcare infrastructure.

Atafoa Bridge

The President also inaugurated the Atafoa Bridge over River Owabi at Bantama, describing it as representing safety, accessibility and opportunity.

It spans a segment of the Owabi River which used to overflow its banks, causing destruction to property and claiming lives.

Over the years, the communities around the river, such as Bantama, faced challenges that made their daily lives difficult, particularly during the rainy season when the River Owabi swelled beyond its banks, turning the area into a hazardous zone. 

The tragic incidents, including the unfortunate loss of three lives last year, and six lives the previous year, served as painful reminders of the urgent need for intervention.

“Today, we are unveiling a bridge that will serve as a lifeline, an enabler of economic growth, a solution to a longstanding challenge and a symbol of the government’s 
commitment to connecting people, places and opportunities,” President Akufo-Addo said.

“This event is significant for many reasons but it is especially meaningful for the people of Bantama and surrounding communities,” the President added.

Larger project

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso Boakye, said the Atafoa Bridge ensured that the people of Bohyen, Abrepo, Atafoa, Ohwim, Amanfrom, Asuofia,  Nketia, Adankwame and Barekese would no longer struggle to cross the Owabi River.

He said the 40-metre span reinforced concrete bridge was part of a larger project titled “Rehabilitation of the Abrepo Junction – Barekese – Offinso Road, which commenced in April last year under the supervision of the erstwhile Ghana Highway Authority.

The project, executed by Messrs MM Delovely Co. Limited, a Ghanaian-owned construction company, was designed to be completed within 18 calendar months.

Mr Asenso-Boakye, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bantama, said the scope of works included the construction of roadside concrete drains and major cross culverts to address the perennial flooding issues.

He said the work also provided streetlights and pedestrian guardrails on the bridge and its approaches to improve visibility and pedestrian safety.

“The Ashanti Region, being a hub of commerce, culture and agriculture,  with its capital, Kumasi, being a nodal city, requires robust infrastructure to sustain its growth,” Mr Asenso-Okyere stated.

The Roads and Highways Minister also urged all stakeholders to play their part in maintaining “this important infrastructure”.