CHIEF APPEALS TO MCE, MP TO CONVERT KG BLOCK INTO HEALTH CENTRE TO SAVE LIVES IN ABONKO.

The chiefs and people of Nkusukum Abonko in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region have made a passionate appeal for a health facility to end years of medical hardship in the community.

Despite being strategically located between Mankessim and Saltpond, the town has no functional health centre. Residents say they are forced to travel long distances to access healthcare at Saltpond, Mankessim, Cape Coast or Winneba, a situation that has endangered many lives, especially during emergencies.

The appeal was made during the grand durbar to climax this year’s Ayerye Festival, which brought together traditional leaders, residents and natives from home and abroad.

The Omanhene of the Abonko Traditional Area and Acting Chief of Nkusukum Nankesido, Nana Takyi VIII, who led the call, appealed directly to the Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah, and the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Hon. Dr. Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin, to intervene.

To provide an immediate solution, Nana Takyi VIII offered to release a newly-built kindergarten block, which he personally constructed, for conversion into a community health centre, since the pupils have been relocated to a new classroom.

He also urged constituents to exercise restraint and support the newly appointed MCE and MP to enable them to deliver on their mandate. According to him, the remarkable development recorded in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Constituency under Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is proof that giving leaders time and support yields results.

In response, the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Hon. Dr. Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin, who is a medical doctor and former staff of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, assured the community that their health concerns are a top priority.

Dr. Arhin pledged to work closely with the Municipal Chief Executive to ensure that the proposed structure is converted into a fully functional health facility to serve Abonko and surrounding communities.

He however entreated residents to remain patient and rally behind the leadership for sustained development.

The people of Abonko say they remain hopeful that their next Ayerye Festival will be celebrated with a working health centre in their community.