The Japanese Government, under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) scheme is supporting the Asuogyaman District Assembly of the Eastern Region with an amount of $120,715 for the construction of Community Based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) compound in the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS zone.

The amount was aimed at building a CHPS block with staff accommodation, provision of furniture and medical equipment amounting to about GH¢ 241,250.30. The project, when completed, would benefit a total of 4,300 people from the nine communities situated along the banks of the Volta Lake.

The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Naoto Nikai  noted  at the grant signing ceremony between the Japan Embassy and the Asuogyaman Assembly that  “The lack of health facility in the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS zone area has propelled the Asuogyaman District Assembly to seek external funding sources to solve the health needs of their communities.

“Realizing the immense impact a health facility would make in the area, the embassy of Japan was more than willing to support this project”, he added.

Mr. Nikai further noted that, the project upon its successful implementation would go a long way to ease the current congestion at the nearest health outlet, thus improving access to health care especially to the folks on the Island.

He further added that, the project would bridge equity gaps in accessing quality health services in the process drastically reducing the influx of diseases such as malaria, bilharzias and skin infections.

“The project will tremendously reduce maternal mortality in the community and in effect help the District reduce maternal mortality in the community and in effect help the district to achieve its health indicators with regards to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” Mr. Nikai noted.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Asugyaman District Assembly, Thomas Ampem Nyarko on his part said that “it is refreshing to officially sign this contract to pave way for the construction of the CHPS compound for the people of Dodi-Asantekrom in the Asuogyaman District.”

“Our joy is not only because this facility would be built in the District, but also because of the fact that maternal mortality rate would be reduced and this will contribute to the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs),” he indicated.