160-bed hospital for U/ W

Vice President John Mahama

Vice President John Dramani Mahama would launch the Ghana Eight Number Hospitals Project at Wa in the Upper West Region on Saturday, July 31, and would cut the sod for the construction and equipping of a new 160-bed hospital at Wa in the Upper West.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Accra said the project was part of efforts by the Ministry to bring health to the doorsteps of the citizenry across the country.

The project has been conceived to respond to the strategic objective of the Ministry's Five-Year Programme of work to strengthen health systems' capacity to expand, manage and sustain high coverage of services.

The Ghana Eight Number Hospitals project is a concessionary credit from EuroGet De-Invest S.A. of Egypt, and would cost $339 million.

The statement said the project would respond to current growing urbanisation challenges, in order to decongest the teaching hospitals, address demands on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and increase access to health services, with emphasis on areas with gaps, and in addition, address the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with focus on maternal health.

It includes two state-of-the-art regional and six district hospitals. These are the 160-bed Regional Hospital at Wa, a 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital at Kumasi and a 60-bed Ahafo Ano North District Hospital at Tepa.

The rest, each with the same capacity, are at Wenchi in the Wenchi Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region, Madina/Adenta in the Adenta Municipality in the Greater Accra Region, Salaga in the East Gonja District of the Northern Region, Konongo-Odumasi in the Asante Akim North Municipality of the Ashanti Region, and Twifo-Praso in Twifo-Heman-Lower Denkyira District of the Central Region.

The statement said the strategic objective emphasised on the creation and expansion of capabilities in the health system, in order to fill the capacity and service gaps.

It would also improve clinic and organisational performance, to promote and improve healthcare delivery in the country's MDGs.

“It is the hope of the Ministry that after the construction of these hospitals, every Ghanaian in every part of the country would never be denied healthcare, which is the vision of the Minister for Health,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday asked members of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) to close their ranks and fight against the crime of piracy, which he said, was undermining their musical and intellectual works.

“The government will give you the necessary support to fight against the canker, but that will depend mostly on how united and ready you are in your creativity.”

Vice President Mahama made this call when a delegation, made up of MUSIGA and family members of King Kwabena Onyina, a veteran Highlife musician, called on him at the Castle, Osu, to announce his death. Onyina's music was widely patronised in the 60s and 70s.

The 78-year-old Highlife musician, who died two months ago, would be buried on Saturday, July 31, at his hometown Agona, Ashanti.

The Vice President, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

“His death is a passage of a talent that deserves celebrating, and government will be adequately represented at the funeral.”

Mr. Nat. Amandzeba Brew, spokesperson for the group, described the late Onyina as a musical icon who will forever be remembered for his brand of Highlife music in the country.

The group presented bottles of Schnapps to the Vice President, in keeping with traditional ways of officially announcing the funeral to the Presidency. Other members of the delegation included Pat Thomas and Papa Yankson.