Complete Ongoing Health Facilities Before Time; Otumfuo to Oko Boye
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged the Minister for Health, Dr Bernard Oko Boye, to marshal the needed support and muscles to complete all health infrastructures he has come to meet.
His Majesty counselled him to give these infrastructures especially the ones in the Ashanti Region- some of which have stalled for years, others completed yet inoperative- the needed attention. He listed projects like the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Teaching Hospital, the Sewua Regional Hospital and the 17 ‘Agenda 111’ hospitals in the region.
Otumfuo highlighted the need to have them completed and get them operating before his tenure ends in December.
“I always say that one government cannot deliver all the needs of the people. Others will come and take over from where one leaves it. As such with what your government started and what you came to meet, make sure these ones are completed under your reign. You were earlier constrained by the bailout but now it has been loosened so I expect that you liaise with the Finance Minister on these projects,” he said during a courtesy call by the Minister for Health, Dr Bernard Oko Boye.
He lamented over the inoperativeness of the Sewua Hospital which is fully equipped yet remains dormant due to power supply challenges and poor road network linking the facility.
He further turned his attention to the Manhyia District Hospital which has its Diagnostic Centre stalled at the foundation level for years and battered with a series of challenges including faulty equipment.
Courtesy Call
The Minister for Health on June 26, 2024, formally introduced himself to the King of the Asante Kingdom at the Manhyia Palace to seek his blessings and counsel.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Health, Hon Adelaide Ntim, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, the Chairman of the GHS Council, Dr Sefa Sarpong Bediako and others.
In his address, the Minister thanked His Majesty for his commitment to the well-being of Ghanaians, improving the health sector and putting in place measures that would satisfy the health needs of his people and Ghanaians.
The former National Health Insurance Authority boss specifically pointed to Otumfuo’s peace initiative and the Heal KATH Project.
“Your Majesty I have not met you in person but I have met a lot of your projects. The Peace in Dagbon is one of your works as well as the Heal KATH initiative. At the time we were schooling, the structure of Komfo Anokye was not in good shape. That was way back in the 2000s. It is one of the major reasons I came to thank him. Renovation is one aspect of development no one wants to do. Many people have shunned it yet you step forward to spearhead this renovation and I am here to thank you for that,” he said as he announced a donation of GHC100,000 in support.
He also assured Otumfuo of his commitment to completing key health facilities to optimize healthcare delivery to residents.
“I was informed you have toured some facilities and I couldn’t stay back. I had to come and give you the needed assurance.”
The Minister is on a tour in the region. He is expected to visit the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the Formena Hospital, Kumawu Hospital and the Sewua Hospital before he heads back.
