The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Ernest Henry Norgbey, together with the Municipal Chief Executive, Freeman Tsekpo, cut the sod for the construction of a 3-storey maternity block at the Community 22 Polyclinic on Monday, February 2.
The short ceremony, which took place at the forecourt of the hospital premises, aims to dramatically improve maternal and infant health outcomes by providing a safe, accessible, and dedicated space for pregnancy-related services.
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Also, to ease the workload at the Ashaiman Polyclinic while maintaining and improving health care delivery in the constituency.
Speaking at the event, MP for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey, lauded the staff of the hospital for their tremendous work despite their challenges.
“I visited this place in 2024, and the rate at which childbirth was high, 6,000 per annum with only two beds, is amazing. This is not only peculiar to this hospital, but even the municipal hospitals also face these same problems within Ashaiman. I promised the staff and management, and today is the fulfillment of the promise to cut sod for the construction of a 3-storey maternity block at Community 22 Polyclinic,” he said.
The MP explained that the project will be executed in three phases and is expected to be completed within 12 months, adding that he has appealed to the contractor to complete the first floor within six months to ensure a condusive environment for expectant mothers and healthcare workers
Hon. Norgbey, who doubles as the Sports Committee Chairperson in Parliament, stressed that the two beds are under serious pressure and if proper and drastic measures are not put in place, delivery will be done on the bare floor.
He added that his duties are to lobby for projects to be brought to the constituency and also monitor projects while funding, execution, and maintenance are supervised by the MCE and the assembly.
Throwing more light on the project, the MCE for Ashaiman, Freeman Tsekpo, disclosed that funds allocated for the materity block have already been secured in the Assembly’s account.
He also stated that, the Assembly has been mandated to prioritize the development of schools, health facilities, and a 24-hour economy market to serve the people of Ashaiman.
He stressed that, through the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, all projects should be completed before 2028, while the 3-storey maternity block will be used because funds are ready to facilitate the project.
He added that the procurement process and construction of the 24-hour economy market will soon begin, and with the rapid population growth in Ashaiman (over 300,000), land has been allocated for a municipal hospital to be constructed to reduce the burden on other health facilities.
He pleaded with the MP to help channel the constituency’s health concerns to parliament and also assured the management of the polyclinic of effective collaboration to ensure the facility is of a high standard.
The Municipal Health Director, Dr. Sophia Quist, described the project as timely, noting that improved maternity infrastructure will significantly enhance maternal healthcare and help save lives in the community while praising the MP and MCE for addressing their problems in the community.
Dr. Godfred Takyi, the Medical Superintendent at the Community 22 Polyclinic, thanked the assembly for the swift response and intervention and assured the people that the current facility will continue to be in good shape to serve the Ashaiman constituency.
The ceremony was attended by staff of the polyclinic, executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ashaiman, and party supporters.
Hon. Norgbey concluded by pledging more development initiatives in Ashaiman by the end of 2028.
