By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, has joined Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to officially open the Kpone Municipal Hospital in the Greater Accra Region.
Constructed by VAMED Health Projects CZ s.r.o, the hospital boasts modern medical facilities, including an Outpatient Department, surgical rooms, a delivery unit, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a laboratory, a pharmacy, and a 40-bed inpatient ward. Additionally, it includes a Services Block, staff offices, and accommodations, along with a one-year warranty and maintenance plan.
The project was financed through a €71.5 million loan from Erste Group Bank AG and Česká Spořitelna a.s., backed by an €8.6 million export credit guarantee from EGAP, the Czech Republic’s Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh highlighted that the hospital is part of a wider initiative spanning several regions, with similar facilities planned for Jumapo, Nkwatia, Suame, and Mim in the Eastern, Ashanti, and Ahafo regions.
The Health Minister stated that the hospital will not only enhance healthcare access but also generate employment and stimulate the local economy, contributing to health-driven development. He emphasized the government’s long-term vision of expanding healthcare access through strategic investments and initiatives like free primary healthcare, aiming to reduce health disparities and improve overall health outcomes, as evidenced by the declining maternal and under-five mortality rates in recent years.
Akandoh also reiterated the government’s commitment to completing and operationalizing all ongoing hospital projects across the country, ensuring that these facilities are fully functional and accessible to all citizens.
Czech Republic President Petr Pavel, in a recent statement, expressed his country’s pride in its partnership with Ghana. He underscored that the Kpone Municipal Hospital is not only a significant infrastructure achievement but also a testament to the growing relationship between the Czech Republic and Ghana.
