Akufo-Addo: Ghana will be center of excellence for medical care in West Africa by 2030

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that the vision of government is to make Ghana the center of medical excellence in the West African region by the year 2030.

This vision President Akufo-Addo said is achievable because Ghana has the requisite manpower and the necessary investments are being made in medical facilities across the country, including “Agenda 111”.

The peace in Ghana compared to other countries in the West Africa region as well as the commitment to democracy and the rule of law according to President Akufo-Addo are also excellent indicators to support the medical ambition.

Speaking at the commissioning of the St Michael’s Specialist Hospital (SMSH) today, Saturday, 30 September 2023, at the forecourt of the hospital in Lapaz, a suburb of Accra, President Akufo-Addo said government will continue the huge investments in the health sector and support efforts of the private sector as well.

“Beyond the building of these new health facilities, my vision is to help make Ghana the center of excellence for medical care in West Africa by 2030, leveraging on Ghana’s favorable status in the region as the most peaceful country in West Africa, a beacon of democracy on the continent and a land of opportunities.

“This we will achieve by investing more in the development of our health care infrastructure, mapping our regional health facilities to specializations as well as upgrading selected facilities in our regional and teaching hospitals into world-class ones” President Akufo-Addo said.

“The relevance of this is reinforced by the fact that West Africa by 2030 will have a population of half a billion people. The goal is thus to position Ghana as an attractive medical destination with excellent medical facilities for our neighbors to patronize, ” Akufo-Addo added.

Maintenance culture

In his address, President Akufo-Addo commended the board chairman of SMSH, Mr Michael Banahene, his family, and all his partners for birthing the vision they conceived several years ago. He charged the staff and management of the hospital to ensure that they employ a high-level maintenance culture at the facility.

“I applaud Mr Banahene and all those who work with him to bring this project to fruition. I want to reinforce the call that the administrators of this hospital embrace and strengthen the culture of maintenance.

“This edifice has been put up at great cost, and you should be in the position for the foreseeable future to see to it that it is in good condition,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.

“It should not fall in the way may institutions like this in Ghana have gone. The leadership of this facility must set the example for its periodic and constant maintenance. ” President Akufo-Addo further remarked.

Appreciation and Capacity

Mr Michael Banahene, in his address, commended the Akufo-Addo administration for its support towards the attainment of the vision of building the hospital.

“Indeed, we could not have come this far without your administration’s fair assistance to Ghanaian businesses.we are tremendously grateful.

“The St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital will, at full capacity, be home to about 600 Ghanaian staff ranging from housekeepers to administrators to nurses and doctors, ” Mr Banahene said.

He expressed gratitude to Mr and Mrs Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Dr Omane Boamah, and all other partners who contributed to the realization of the dream of building the St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital.

Former President John Kufour

Former President John Agyekum Kufour, who is a direct relative of the board chairman of SMSH, graced the occasion with his presence.

In a brief statement, he said he was extremely proud of his grand nephew’s achievement, especially looking at the length of time it took him to complete the project.

He also praised him for the high international stands he has employed at the hospital to administer efficient health care to the people of Ghana and beyond.

SMSH

The St. Michael’s Specialist Hospital will offer 24/7 laboratory services, CT-scan, x-ray & ultrasound services, and general OPD consultation.

Other services available at the SMSH are cardiology consultation, interventional cardiology care gynecology consultation, antenatal & delivery care, general surgery consultation, surgical care, inpatient care, mental health consultation and dental care.

Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra

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