Nkonya-Ahenkro (V/R), April 15, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Health last Thursday, said some structures at the Worawora Hospital would soon be rehabilitated towards the establishment of a second Community Health Training School for the Volta Region. He said it was Government's policy to establish Community Health Training Schools in every region and expressed concern about the shortage of Community Health Nurses to participate in programmes under the Community Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS).

Major Quashigah announced this in an address read on his behalf at the inauguration and sod-cutting ceremony for the Nana Attuah Education and Health Foundation at Nkonya-Ahenkro.

Nana Attuah II, Nkosuohene of Nkonya Traditional Area who initiated the Foundation said 200,000 dollars had been earmarked for the project. Major Quashigah said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and CHPS were two important projects that were expected to have significant impact on the health of Ghanaians therefore; Government would appreciate the role of households, communities, traditional rulers and opinion leaders to support their implementation.

The Minister of Health noted that improvement in activities of Public Health over the past years had led to some significant improvement in the health status and life expectancy of Ghanaians. He said Infant mortality rate over the past 15 years had reduced from 84 per 1,000 births to below 56 per 1,000 births and under-five mortality rate over the period, from 187 per 1,000 live births to below 107 per 1,000 live births.

Major Quashigah said life expectancy had also increased from 54 years in 1988 to over 57 years and fertility rates declined from 6.5 to 4.6 births per woman while the programmed and routine immunization exercise had protected many children against the six childhood killer diseases.

He noted that areas where progress had been particularly difficult were those outside the health sector and efforts of the Foundation would complement Government's development agenda. The Minister of Health was optimistic that the Foundation and the assembly would sponsor students to pursue courses that were beneficial to the communities and endeavour to make them return to serve the communities.

Mr Solomon Kwame Donkor, Jasikan District Chief Executive, said the assembly would continue to give priority attention to the provision of infrastructure and other logistical support to health institutions within the district.

"I want to put on record that in addition to the provision of infrastructure and logistics, we are also sponsoring health aid programmes to augment activities of the inadequate health personnel." Mr Donkor said the assembly would provide funds for immunization programmes within the district and continue to ensure health services were provided to all parts of the district He said implementation of the Government's school feeding programme would enhance good health and called on parents, assemblymen, opinion leaders and chiefs to ensure its success. Nana Attuah said the project would be a challenge to citizens of the area to contribute to nation building.

He said 50,000 dollars was spent on a Junior Secondary School block for the community.

Togbega Atakora Tsedze VII, Paramount Chief of Alavanyo Traditional Area expressed appreciation to the peace initiative between the Nkonya and Alavanyo traditional areas that paved the way for him to witness the sod cutting ceremony and pledged the support of his people towards the success of the project.

He commended Right Reverend Livingstone Buamah, Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Bishop Francis Anani Lodonu, Bishop of the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church for their efforts in re-uniting the two traditional areas.

Togbega Tsedze said never again, would their children witness the horror of war but would rather see unity and development. Nana Okoto Kofi III, Paramount Chief of Nkonya Traditional Area, called on the people in the area to consolidate the peace process to pave way for more developments that had eluded them over the past 80 years due to the conflict.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), called on the people to gird their loins to provide communal labour towards the success of the project. 15 April 06