A new Health facility has been commissioned at Obuasi, by Mr Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister and Mr Elijah Adansi-Bona, the Chief Executive of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly.
The GHC1.6 million project, funded from Mineral royalties of the Municipal Assembly, is expected to take care of the health needs of the residents of Obuasi, especially around the Central market and beyond.
The 2-storey health center, christened Adansi-Bonah Health Center, after the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, is to replace the defunct Jemima Maternity Home which provides health care services to traders in the Obuasi Central Business district and neighbouring areas.
The facility comprises an Out-Patient Department, two Consulting Rooms, Pharmacy, Store, Female ward, Male ward, Maternity ward, seven Washrooms, Laboratory, Counselling unit, Office, a bedroom flat, Nurses accommodation, two urinals and two water closet toilets.
Mr. Simon Osei Mensah, while commissioning the facility, commended the Obuasi Municipal Assembly for putting its share of the Mineral royalties into productive use, adding that prioritising the healthcare needs of the people with proceeds from minerals royalties is exemplary and laudable.
He noted that the Ashanti Region, which was rated low in the pecking order, in terms of national health infrastructure has witnessed a significant improvement in health facilities since 2017.
He noted that the government has so far completed a number of health facilities inherited from the opposition National Democratic Congress, which includes Konongo, Tepa, Bekwai, Fomena, Kumawu and Sawua hospitals.
Mr. Elijah Adansi-Bona, the Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi, said the construction of the health facility lends credence to the Assembly’s judicious use of mineral royalties, contrary to reports issued by the Center for Democratic Development on the impact of gold mining royalties on development projects in some mining districts.
The report suggested that the Obuasi Municipal Assembly could not account for projects constructed, using mineral royalties and lack of stakeholder engagements.
Mr. Adansi-Bonah said the report was false and mentioned that the Kokoteasua Experimental school building and Sanso Nurses quarters and other projects were all funded through the Assembly’s share of the mineral royalties.
Mr. Martin Safo Osei, the Municipal Health Director lauded the efforts of the Assembly in putting up the facility.
He said the facility furnished with quality equipment will further enhance effective health care delivery in the Obuasi Municipality.
The Health Director assured that management would ensure that the facility is properly maintained to stand the test of time.
