Nkawkaw (Eastern Region), April ?99-

Management of Holy Family Mission Hospital at Nkawkaw in the Kwahu South District has appealed to the Police and the community to co-operate to stop the rampant stealing at the facility.

Workers at the hospital had wanted to undertake a sit down strike to create public awareness to the rampant stealing after the Police had turned down their application for a peaceful demonstration in the town.

The Senior Medical Officer in charge of the hospital, Dr Kwasi Amuzu said over 11 million cedis, a video deck, remote control, and other valuable items have been stolen on four occasions between February and April this year. He said it is disheartening to know that in spite of the dedicated service the hospital is rendering to the community it has become a target for thieves. He warned that it would be difficult to operate under such circumstances if the community is not prepared to volunteer information to address the situation. Dr Amuzu said reports have been made to the Police, however, investigations have not yielded any fruitful results. The District Chief Executive, Mr Opoku Preko, who addressed the Management advised them not to keep huge sums of money at the hospital after the close of work and also increase the number of security personnel at night.