Work has begun in earnest on a multipurpose dialysis medical centre in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, to address the rising incidence of renal complications in the region and beyond.
Known as the COBAANA Medical Centre, the specialised facility is being championed by indigenes of the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions living in North America and Canada.
When completed, the centre is expected to take care of patients in the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions, as well as other communities without such facilities.
The over $1.7 million facility seeks to offer quality health care closer to patients, who previously had to travel long distances for dialysis treatment.
The citizens in the three regions in the diaspora meet annually under the umbrella name, the Convention of the Council of Bono and Ahafo Associations of North America (COBAANA), to raise funds towards projects.
The 17th edition of COBAANA, held in Chicago, Illinois, on the theme, “The health of our people is our concern,” brought together over 200 members from all the states and Canada not only to raise funds, but fraternise, have fun and reinforce their unity as one people despite the current situation where the region has been divided into three.
In attendance
Some traditional leaders and queens in the three regions, including the Paramount Chief and President of the Sunyani Traditional Council Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor, the Mim Manhene Gyasehene Nana Agyapong Brobbey, the Drobomanhene and the Vice President of Bono Regional House of Chiefs Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II and the Ahantrasehene and Amankorahene of the Dormaa traditional area Baffour Owusu Sika Aduomi, who is also the General Secretary of COBAANA were in attendance.
The Chief Executive Officer of DoorMaster Company Ltd, Kodjo Obuamah Botchway, who co-chaired the event, donated $10,000, while the Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum West, Dickson Kyere Duah, who was present, also donated $2,000 and elected himself as COBAANA ambassador, pledging to attend all COBAANA fundraising ceremonies towards the medical centre.
More work ahead
Addressing the 17th edition of COBAANA, the National Chairman of the council, Dr Degraft Gyan Kwafo, said although construction had begun, there was still much work to be done.
“A building alone cannot save lives; it must be equipped with modern machines, essential medical equipment, and supported by qualified and well-trained healthcare professionals,” he said.
Dr Kwafo commended members of COBAANA for their commitment to seeing to the completion of the project and recalled several achievements the group had chalked up in their quest to improve the lives of their people back in Ghana.
He said when completed, the facility would provide affordable, life-saving dialysis treatment, reduce preventable deaths resulting from delayed access to renal care, ease the financial burden on families, create employment opportunities for healthcare professionals and strengthen healthcare delivery in the three regions.
Dr Kwafo commended members of COBAANA for their commitment to completing the project and recalled the group’s numerous achievements in improving the lives of people in Ghana.
Rallying for support
For his part, the Paramount Chief and President of the Sunyani Traditional Council, Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, rallied all natives from the three regions to support COBAANA realise their dream of constructing and equipping the medical centre.
Ogyeamansan Korkor II, who elected himself as an ambassador of the project, reminded all that sickness did not discriminate and so the need for all to support, explaining that government alone could not provide all the health needs of Ghanaians.
The President of the Chicago chapter of the group, Benjamin Kodom-Ayensu, described the facility as a lifeline, stating that it was a promise "we made to ourselves and a legacy we intend to fulfil. Together, we are building hope and together, we will finish what we have started.”
For her part, the treasurer of the council, Nana Akua Durowaah Owusua Aduomi IV, explained that COBAANA sought to involve the communities and Ghanaians in general to ensure a sense of ownership.
Nana Aduomi IV, who is also the President of the Connecticut Chapter of COBAANA and the Nkroranza-Yefri Mpaworosohemaa, believed that the project would not just serve the citizens of the three regions, but would be open to all Ghanaians and therefore, appealed to all well-meaning Ghanaians to contribute to the completion of the centre.
