The Board Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, has hinted that COCOBOD is instituting measures to ensure that the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, at Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region, is given the necessary support in order to offer the best quality health service delivery.
He said that the honour given to Tetteh Quarshie by building the hospital should not be allowed to deteriorate.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang stated this when he led a three-member committee set up by the Board of Directors of COCOBOD to pay a familiarisation visit to the facility. The committee members included Nana Adwoa Dokua; Carlos Ahenkorah, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry; and Mr. Francis Akwasi Opoku, Solicitor Secretary to the Board, to find out at first hand the situation at the hospital
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang also suggested that the Tetteh Quarshie Hospital should collaborate with the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine, also at Akuapem Mampong, and the Cocoa Clinics to find lasting solutions to some health challenges in the region and beyond.
“We are committed to giving the hospital a face-lift to enable it cater for the increasing health demands within the catchment area, and also to handle emergencies,” he said.
Dr. Albert Benneh, the Medical Superintendent In-Charge of the hospital, expressed gratitude for the steps being taken by COCOBOD to alleviate the memorial hospital’s plight.
He appealed for the Board to facilitate the refurbishment process to enable the facility operate at full capacity.
Present at the meeting were officials from the Eastern Regional Health Directorate, the Mamponghene Nana Otu Dartey III and his entourage, and the Municipal Chief Executive of Akuapem North, Dennis Aboagye.
The committee members also toured the hospital facilities and interacted with staff, outpatients and those on admission.
The Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital was established in February 1961, has a 150-bed capacity, and offers various health services including cervical cancer screening, palliative and geriatric care.
They later toured the Jubilee Farm reception centre, also at Akuapem Mampongm to inspect the progress of work on the ongoing project.
The next port of call was the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Farm, where a ground-breaking ceremony has been done for the construction of a cocoa museum.
