By: Seraphine Nyuiemedi
The Chiefs and people of Sokode, have cut sod for the construction of a health facility at Sokode- Etoe, in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region. The facility is intended to address the community’s long-standing healthcare delivery challenges.
Currently, residents of Sokode, are forced to rely on a single classroom CHIPS facility with only one ward. In the single room, both men and women come closely into contact with each other, interfering with the provision of healthcare in the community.
The project is an initiative by some three (3) citizens of Sokode led by Dr. Beloved Mensah Dzomeku. With assistance from other stakeholders, they intend to bring together their individual resources to build a more befitting health facility to improve upon the health needs of citizens of the area.
The project scheduled to be completed within a year will consist of three consulting rooms, Out Patient Department (OPD), Male and female wards, dressing room, theater, washrooms among others.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of the project, the team lead, Dr. Beloved Mensah Dzomeku expressed the community’s enthusiasm for having the existing CHIPS Compound. However, he lamented the current provision of health services in a classroom, prompting concerned citizens to launch the initiative.
He said instead of simply renovating the classroom, they opted to construct a new facility to avoid potential claims by the Ghana Education Service in the future. In a speech read on her behalf, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Prof. Lydia Aziato pledged the institution’s commitment to supporting the project in various capacities to ensure its success.
The paramount chief of Sokode Traditional Area, Togbe Fia Korku, affirmed his dedication and encouraged the community to unite in support of the planning committee for the project’s success. The guest of honour, Dr. Mark Amexo encouraged the team to remain committed towards the project to bring respite to the people upon completion. He also urged healthcare providers to uphold diligence in delivering high-quality healthcare services.
The Ho Municipal Chief Executive, and aspiring NPP parliamentary candidate for Ho Central, Divine Bosson who graced the occasion pledged to construct staff bungalow for the facility.
The aspiring NDC’s Parliamentary candidate for Ho Central, Richmond Kpotosu pledged 100 bags of cement for the project, with the initial delivery of 20 bags already handed over to the planning committee.
The committee has already moulded 2,100 blocks, and procured some trips of sand and chippings to kick-start the project. The project is estimated to cost 1,234,227.00 cedis.
