The Minister for Health, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu has cut sod for the construction of a Municipal Hospital at Bogoso in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region to improve healthcare delivery for the people.

This will be the first hospital for the Municipality since independence, and the only one to support the improvised Prestea Government Hospital built by the colonial administration about 89 years ago (1929).

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony held at Bogoso, the Municipal capital on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, the Divisional Chief of Bogoso-Kokoase who was the Chairman for the occasion, Nana Kwasi Sompre II said he was happy Bogoso and Wassaman were going to have such an amenity.

The Divisional Chief used the opportunity to express his profound appreciation to President Akufo-Addo government and the MP for the area for the facility.

"I am happy Bogoso and Wassaman are going to have such a hospital. What we are seeing today is something historic. It is a facility that is going to serve the whole municipality. We thank the President, Nana Akufo-Addo and our MP, Lawyer Barbara Oteng-Gyasi and Hon. Mozart Owuh, MCE for this facility", he commended.

He added "It is the hope of Nananom that, this project will be completed fast as promised by the contractor".

The MCE for Prestea Huni-Valley, Hon. Mozart Owuh welcomed the Health Minister, and all dignatories present, and stated, “I am very happy to Almighty God for the gift of life for us to witness this great event”.

He stated that, “official duties has not permitted our MP, Lawyer Barbara Oteng-Gyasi to be in our midst but she is here with us in spirit”.

Nana Kwasi Sompre II expressed his profound gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the kind gesture.

“We are grateful to His Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo for this gesture", he said.

He also thanked the Chiefs and people of the area for releasing land for the construction of the project.

"We are also grateful to Nananom for releasing a land for us to for this project", he acknowledged.

The MCE pleaded with all the people of Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality to support the project and the contractor to complete the project on time as expected.

On his part, the Health Minister, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu stated, “Nananom, I will plead with you to thank the MP, Lawyer Mrs. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi in a special way when she comes".

"She has been persistent in getting this facility for you. Right from July, August, September, she has been on me, so as to get this hospital for you. She deserves your commendations”, the Minister told the Chiefs.

Hon. Agyemang Manu added that, “it is the vision of government, that, by 2030, there will be reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths, access to health facilities to all citizens of Ghana”.

He added, "We have finalised all financial obligations and it is my hope that, by next year, this facility will be completed”.

The Health Minister seized the opportunity to appeal to the good people of the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality to rally behind President Akufo-Addo to develop the area.

He also seized the opportunity to highlight some of the government flagship programs to the people and such programs he highlighted were; Free SHS, One District One Factory, NaBCO, one million per constituency, restoration of teacher training allowances and nurses allowances among others.

The Regional Manager of VAMED Construction Ghana, an Austrian Company with track record in Ghana since 2000, stated that, “VAMED in its operations since 18 years ago in Ghana has constructed and completed 25 Polyclinics and 3 District Hospitals across Ghana, in partnership with Ministry of Health”.

He added, “Right now, we have started 5 District Hospitals in Buipe, Somanya, Tolon, Sawla, Whete and 5 other Polyclinics in greater Accra Region”.

The VAMED Regional Manager was hopeful “the facility will contribute immensely to the health care needs of the people in the Municipality”.

Nana Kwasi Sompre II, through his Chief Linguist prayed for the Health Minister, MP and MCE, asking for God and Nananom to guide the project to a successfully completion.

Together, the sod cutting ceremony was performed with the people all cheering in joyous mood.

The hospital if completed will have the following facilities;

1. 42 bed capacity

2. Out-patient clinic

3. Dental clinic

4. Pharmacy

5. General administration

6. Theatre

7. Clinical services

8. Delivery rooms

9. Imaging room with x-ray ultra sound

10. In-patient services

11. General ward

12. Medical, surgical, pediatrics and maternity

13. Sterilisation

14. Mortuary

15. Stores

16. Maintenance and technical services for up to 5 years, and

17. Staff housing units.

The Health Ministry is expected to cut sod to construct three more additional District/Municipal Hospitals in the Western Region and the beneficiary areas are; Nzema East Municipality, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, and Akotombra District.