Nyonkopa Cocoa Contributes To Heal KATH
Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying Limited and Cocoa Processing Company Barry Callebaut, Tema, have donated GHC100,000 towards the revenue mobilization drive for the rehabilitation of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
A dummy cheque was presented to the Manhyia Palace by the sister companies on March 20, 2024, by the Managing Director of Barry Callebaut, Tema, Mr Krishnarkumar R Pillai and the Managing Director of Nyonkopa Cocoa, Madam Charity Sackitey.
In an address, Mr Pillai said the company was committed to giving back to society through its established foundation.
“We really contribute to the education sector. We support activities like water, health and sanitation in the communities where cocoa is grown.”
The King of the Asante Kingdom, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed his appreciation to the company for supporting the Heal KATH initiative aimed at renovating the dilapidated KATH.
“I am very appreciative of the support to Komfo Anokye. It’s all about healthcare delivery.”
On the objective behind the initiative he recounted, “When I got the complaint (about the state of the hospital), I visited one night and saw the situation and it was very very disheartening. This project is for everybody to contribute. The money will go a long way in the rehabilitation of the hospital.”
About Barry Callebaut and Nyonkopa
According to Mr Pillai, Barry Callebaut- the parent company based in Switzerland- was established their factory in 1999 and is the first to start the grinding operation in Ghana.
“We started our business {in Ghana} in 2001 and we are already 23 years and with all the support, we are still growing strong. We have the Nyonkopa Cocoa buying. We started that business in 2016 and we are the number two PBC,” he told Otumfuo.
About Heal KATH
The project dubbed Heal KATH is aimed at mobilising US$10 million to address the urgent need for infrastructural improvements in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana’s second-largest teaching hospital, which receives referrals from 12 out of the 16 regions of Ghana, through the solicitation of funds.
Hailing Otumfuo for spearheading the project during its launch on November 10, 2023, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, Prof Otchere Addai-Mensah, said the renovation had been on the drawing board of the hospital Board for the past 50 years but had to be shelved due to lack of funds.
He highlighted that persistent over-utilisation and consequent wear and tear over the years have made the structure unfit for the provision of contemporary healthcare services.
“Plumbing, electrical wires, windows, roofing, washrooms and all ancillary facilities have for years now deteriorated beyond maintenance,” he listed as he explained the structure has never tasted renovation since its existence.
Speaking at the event, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II characterized the current state of the hospital as embarrassing and stressed the urgent need to raise funds to attend to the building which is close to 70 years old.
“12 of 16 regions have their patients referred here. Patients get drenched when it rains and the exposed wires can cause fire outbreaks when rainwater comes into contact with the wires. Even the new Emergency Ward is in dire need of renovation. We will be brought to this hospital when the need arises and so there is a need to work it out.”
According to him, the project cannot wait for any government since many governments reigned and ended their tenure without any particular attention to the hospital.
“Governments come and go but the building remains and it is up to us to renovate it. It shouldn’t therefore be politicised….Though the amount is huge, if each household on this land decided to contribute each month, we would go a long way to heal the hospital.”
