First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo with dignitaries at one of the free healthcare stands
First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to collaborate and encourage the uptake of activities and lifestyles that promote healthy living among all citizens despite their social setting.
She said simple behavioural changes like handwashing after visiting the washroom and before preparing and eating food can make a big difference in the health status of citizens.
The first lady stressed that Ghanaians should never lose sight of the fact that “health is one of the most precious commodities on earth” and it should be prioritised at all times.
She emphasized that “most nations put a high premium on health and our country is no exception” because we all know “health is wealth.”
The first lady said that though many interventions have been put in place to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana, “government alone cannot provide all the health needs of Ghanaians” and for this reason, it is imperative for each and everyone to do whatever they can to support those efforts to ensure quality healthcare for all.
Mrs Akufo-Addo made this call when she launched the Rotary Club’s 2018 Rotary Family Health Days campaign at the Osu Presbyterian Church Hall in Accra yesterday.
The three-day health programme by Rotary intends to provide critical health services to 50,000 underserved women, children and families in 50 deprived communities across the country.
In her address, the first lady commended Rotary for their initiative, adding that with their proven record of success in addressing health needs of various communities in the country, she is confident they would achieve their target for this initiative.
She also commended them for their “work in the construction of clinics and the provision of medical equipment and supplies, clean water, sanitation facilities and training of health staff.”
Mrs. Akufo-Addo also encouraged the club to have greater and better collaboration with the Ministries of Health, Gender, Children and Social Protection, Education and Sanitation and Water Resources so their activities can have a greater impact on citizens.
She indicated that the two foundations she is involved with — Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation and Rebecca Foundation — have been guided by this fact and they have taken on the challenge to help improve healthcare delivery, especially towards maternal and child health, leading to recent construction of Mother & Baby Unit for Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi as well as CHPS compound for Nyanshegu, Tamale.
She added that the Rebecca Foundation is currently “helping to build a hostel for parents of children receiving cancer treatment at Korle Bu” and “also plan to build a paediatric intensive care unit for the children’s block of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.”
The first lady commended all non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations for their enormous time and resources invested in improving health outcomes for Ghanaians.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri