Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has cut the sod for the construction of a two-storey ultra-modern office complex for the Ketu South Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region.
The GHS14 million project, fully funded by philanthropist Mr Akonta Felix Akakpo, also known as Torgbui Tenuvi II, is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The two-storey facility will comprise 20 offices, a 180-seater conference hall, a 40-seater mini conference hall, a cafeteria, dining hall, storage facilities, and washrooms, and is being executed by Fullness Construction & Engineering Ghana Limited.
Mr Gunu, who could no hide his joy, praised Torgbui Tenuvi for his benevolence and commitment to public service delivery.
He described the project as unprecedented, noting that it was the first time, in his capacity as Regional Minister, that he was witnessing such a major public infrastructure project for civil servants being fully financed by a private individual.
Mr Gunu said inadequate office space for public institutions remained one of the major challenges confronting the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.
He explained that although some departments were willing to decentralise their operations to the district, municipal and regional levels, the lack of office accommodation continued to hinder such efforts.
He assured Torgbui Tenuvi of his continued support and indicated that he would personally return upon completion of the project to officially commission the facility for use.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony to officially commence the project, Mr Akakpo said he conceived the idea in 2023 after observing the challenges faced by healthcare administrators and service providers in the municipality.
He said the vision behind the project was to provide an efficient and functional administrative hub to strengthen healthcare delivery and management in Ketu South.
“I saw the need and urgency in building a Municipal Health Directorate Office Complex, a game changer for healthcare management and service delivery in Ketu South. My main purpose is to improve health access and streamline administrative processes within the municipality,” he said.
Mr Akakpo revealed that, in addition to the directorate complex, he also planned to construct nurses’ quarters for the Lente-Wute Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound to improve staff accommodation and retention.
Mr David Agbokpe, the Ketu South Municipal Health Director, described the project as a major boost to healthcare administration and coordination in the municipality.
“For a long time, our administrative and supervisory work has been challenged by inadequate workspace. Yet, despite these hurdles, our staff remained committed to delivering quality healthcare. Today, we see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Mr Agbokpe said.
He commended Mr Akakpo for recognising the importance of investing in health administration infrastructure, noting that an efficient health system required a strong coordination centre.
“While many philanthropists focus on clinics or equipment, which are also vital, this project recognises that the health system needs a nerve centre. This directorate will serve as the brain of our operations, improving coordination of immunisation, disease surveillance, and maternal health services across the municipality,” he added.
Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, Fiaga and President of the Aflao Traditional Council, called on residents to support and pray for Mr Akakpo rather than subjecting his philanthropic efforts to criticism or political speculation.
“The government alone cannot do everything. We must support individuals who are willing to complement government efforts for the benefit of the people,” Torgbui Fiti said.
After the sod-cutting ceremony, Torgbui Tenuvi also donated 400 bags of cement to some selected schools in the municipality to support ongoing infrastructure development.
He explained that the gesture was motivated by the poor state of infrastructure in some schools, noting that several classrooms were not properly cemented, walls were unshaped, and some school buildings remained incomplete.
The donation was presented to the Ketu South Municipal Education Directorate for onward distribution to beneficiary schools.
Mr Akonta Felix Akakpo was recently installed as development chief by the Aflao Traditional Council as Torgbui Tenuvi II in recognition of his benevolence and developmental contributions to communities in the municipality.
The sod-cutting ceremony was attended by the Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, the Ketu South Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Nicholas Worclachie, the Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Emmanuel Atsu Dodor, traditional leaders, health workers, and other stakeholders.