Sankubenase gets first clinic

Sankubenase, a farming community in the Atiwa District in the Eastern Region with a population of about 5000, has for the first time been provided a CHPS compound which is a mini clinic.

Hundreds of inhabitants thronged the streets accompanied by brass band performers who treated them to traditional music as they jubilated over the good fortune. 

The people were so enthusiastic to the extent that the official handover of keys to the facility to the community leaders had to be delayed for about an hour, due to their continuous jublation.

Help for the sick

Hitherto, the sick, including women in labour, had to be carried on the backs of other individuals, sometimes in the night, along a rugged 15-kilometre road to Abomosu for care.

The facility, which cost $60,000 was funded by Dotera Healing Hands, an association of Americans dedicated to the health needs of people, particularly those in deprived rural communities in Africa.

The group was introduced to the Atiwa District by Mr Stephen Abu, Ghana Country Director of World Joy, a non-governmental organisation based in Salt Lake City in the United States.

American Nkosuohene

In appreciation of Dotera’s assistance to the community, the President of the association,  Mr David Sterling, who led a 20-member delegation from the United States to hand over the clinic to the community, was enstooled Nkosuohene (development chief) of Sankubenase by the Sankubenasehene, Barima Asiedu Boafo.

Dotera praised

Barima Asiedu Boafo was full of praise for the Dotera group. He said what the Americans had done had demonstrated their great determination to assist needy communities in Ghana.

Atta Twum speaks

The Atiwa District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum, who addressed the gathering, said the assembly had also provided mini clinics in other communities. He said the district currently had 19 of such facilities in deprived communities like Tumfa, Nkurakan, Awirensua, Abekoase, Moseaso, Akropong and Pameng.

He said all communities in the district would have their own CHPS compounds within the next two years. According to him, the assembly was prepared to work with development partners in that respect.

The Atiwa District Director of the Ghana Health Service, Mr Tei Djamgba, said he was equally happy about the provision of the GHPS compound and took the opportunity to educate the inhabitants on the deadly Ebola disease.