Saltpond (Central Region), 16 March '99

Ghanaians have been called upon to contribute generously towards the maintenance of health institutions in their communities in order to reduce the cost of medical treatment for poor and vulnerable patients. Making the appeal at the inauguration of the Saltpond Welfare Organisation at Saltpond, the Mfantseman District Hospital Administrator, Mr J.R. Brown, said the volume of patients attending hospitals and clinics is far outpacing the rate at which the government could provide medical supplies. He, therefore, urged the people to support the efforts of the government by making the supply of medical services affordable and accessible to the majority Ghanaians. The chairman of the organisation, Mr Ato Arhinful, said the organisation has decided to launch an appeal for funds to raise 10 million cedis to provide 200 sets of bedding and other equipment for the Mfantseman District Hospital. He disclosed that 800,000 cedis has so far been realised by the organisation which is being used to fund other welfare activities like catering for the aged and the handicapped, maintaining clean environment and organising health services for the public in the area. Miss Ewurama Coleman, who won a beauty contest organised by the Accra Brewery Limited during the 1998 Odambea festival at Saltpond, was honoured at the function for playing a leading role in the formation of the Saltpond Welfare Organisation.