Kumasi, Aug 1, GNA- Professor Agyemang Badu Akosah, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has told health authorities to obtain titles to lands they acquire for projects. This, he said, would reduce the spate of court cases against the GHS over land titles.

Professor Akosah said it was unfortunate that chiefs and landowners after giving out lands to the government through the GHS for the construction of health centres, hospitals and other health institutions, turned round to demand compensation even though the

facilities serve the communities and the nation as a whole. The Director-General was responding to a similar request by Nana Owusu Annor Panin III, Kyirapatrehene, at a durbar organised by the management of the Kumasi South Hospital at Kyirapatre on Friday for him as part of his tour of health institutions in the Ashanti region.

Professor Akosah said records indicated that Ashanti region was the least developed in terms of health infrastructure and that plans were far advanced to facelift all health institutions in the region. He said the Kumasi South Hospital which doubles as the Ashanti Regional Hospital was being developed gradually to decongest the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which receives more patients than its capacity.

The Director-General commended the staff of the hospital for successes they had chalked in spite of staff problems. Professor Akosah advised the staff not to join the exodus of health professionals but rather stay and serve the country.

Dr Kofi Asare, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, announced the creation of a new promotion grade for senior ward assistants who could now be promoted to principal ward assistants. He also announced the review of their extra duty allowance to make it much more attractive so that they would work hard. Dr Frank Abebrese, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, expressed appreciation to the Director-General for his words of encouragement. Earlier, Professor Akosah inspected the maternity block, which is to be completed by the end of this year.