US donates 2 boats to improve health access in W/R

The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated two newly designed boats to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to enhance healthcare access for 7,500 residents in 28 riverine communities in the Western Region. 

The boats, “Western Princess GHS#6” and “Western Express GHS #5,” are intended to overcome transportation challenges that have historically hindered healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach areas such as Jaway and Nzulezu in the Jomoro District.

“The United States is proud to partner with the Ghana Health Service to bring health services to remote communities,” the USAID/Ghana Mission Director Kimberly Rosen said at the handover ceremony.

“The boats will improve medical outreach providing immunisations, maternal and childcare, malaria, nutrition, and other health services to you — the people of Jomoro,” she said.

The boats

Locally designed and constructed from reinforced fibreglass, each boat is tailored to meet specific community needs.

The 12-seater “Western Princess GHS #6” is equipped with a washroom, a storage cabin, and advanced navigation tools, providing a mobile clinic for the Jaway Riverine area.

Meanwhile, the smaller eight-seater “Western Express GHS#5” comes with a stretcher to facilitate patient transport and is set to serve Nzulezu, the UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stilted, overwater construction.

The Jomoro District Director of Health Services, Gabriel Yengliereh, emphasised the importance of the boats, noting, “None of the communities along the lagoon have a health facility, and reaching them by road is nearly impossible.

“With these new boats, we can now bring critical health services directly to these remote communities,” he said.

Development partner

As Ghana’s largest development partner, the United States continues to support healthcare initiatives across the country.

In 2023, USAID contributed over $90 million to Ghana’s health sector, focusing on malaria, maternal and child health, HIV, and global health security. Earlier this year, USAID also provided a 19-seater boat for health outreach in the Oti Region, furthering its commitment to improving access to health care in rural communities.

Through such partnerships, USAID aims to advance sustainable development in Ghana by promoting accessible health care, resilience and inclusive growth.