Accra, June 15, GNA - A 126,000 dollar-Medical Centre, financed by the United States Department of Defence Humanitarian Civic Assistance Programme, was on Monday handed over to the community at Haatso, near Legon.

Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence and Mrs Mary Carlin Yates, US Ambassador, together cut the tape to open the facility, which was constructed by a detachment of the Ghana Army Engineers and US 72nd Naval Construction Battalion.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Dzotefe-Mensah of the Ghana Armed Forces Public Relations Directorate, said the US European Command was also spending more than 53,000 dollars on furnishing and equipment for the Clinic.

The facility has four consulting rooms and rooms for treatment, dispensary, offices and waiting areas.

The statement said Dr Addo-Kufuor paid tribute to the US European Command for financing the project and commended the US Embassy Staff in Accra "for showing interest and commitment in accomplishing the task on schedule."

The Defence Minister noted that the project was a manifestation of the mutual cooperation and professional understanding that existed between the Ghana Armed Forces and their counterparts in the US, according to the statement.

"Dr Addo-Kufuor commented on the socio-economic impact of these initiatives and added that they helped to improve the social status of the people and provided a solid base for the economic development of the country."

Mrs Yates said the project could not have taken place without the involvement of the Christian Medical Relief Foundation (CMRF), founded by Group-Captain Sam Annankra of the 37 Military Hospital. The CMRF made land available and will also provide staffing for the Clinic.