For the residents of Berekuso, a small but vibrant community near Aburi in Ghana’s Eastern Region, the challenge of accessing quality healthcare has long been a pressing issue.
This weekend, however, marked a transformative moment as the Rotary Club of Accra-Ring Road Central (RRC) officially commissioned a fully furnished community clinic, offering a beacon of hope for improved health outcomes.
The new facility, which stands proudly against the backdrop of the Berekuso hills, is a testament to the power of community collaboration and international goodwill. Constructed at a cost of $200,000, the clinic is equipped with consulting rooms, male and female wards, a pharmacy, a delivery room, a nurses’ station, and a laboratory. This state-of-the-art setup will provide critical maternal, child, and primary healthcare services to the community and its surrounding areas.
A Journey from Disappointment to Hope
The idea for the clinic was sparked three years ago when a visiting Rotarian mistakenly assumed that a rundown structure in the heart of Berekuso was a local clinic, only to find it was a dilapidated grocery store. That moment of disappointment planted the seed for a much-needed healthcare facility that would soon become a reality.
Speaking at the well-attended commissioning ceremony, Mr. Mario César Martins de Camargo, the Rotary International President-Elect (RIPE) and special guest of honor, highlighted the broader impact of the project. “Once we bring a project like this into the world, we are forever responsible for it,” he said, emphasizing the long-term commitment required to sustain such initiatives.
District Governor Florence Maame Hagan noted that the clinic aligns perfectly with Rotary’s core focus areas, including maternal and child health, disease prevention, water, sanitation, and hygiene. “This is a powerful partnership between the Rotary Club of Accra Ring Road Central, our District leadership, and Rotary International’s unwavering support,” she said.
A Symbol of Compassion and Hope
For local leaders like Oderfuor Oteng Kuranchie II, Overlord of Berekuso and Twafohene of the Akuapim Traditional Area, the new clinic is more than just a building. “We had only one clinic here, and when our people fell sick, they often had to travel to nearby towns or even to Accra for medical care,” he said, expressing his gratitude for the facility. He pledged the support of the Traditional Authority to maintain the clinic’s operations and ensure its longevity.
Albert Bahun-Wilson, the President of Rotary Club Accra RRC, reflected on the broader mission behind the project, stating, “This clinic represents more than bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of compassion and a beacon of hope. Our goal is to ensure that quality healthcare is no longer a privilege but a right, even in the remotest corners.”
A Community-Driven Future
The project was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Domod Roof Limited, FirstBank Ghana, Primrose Properties, Civicom Ghana Limited, Ashfoam Ghana Limited, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, SIC Life Insurance Limited, RPS Engineering, the Rotaract Club of RCC, Lawfields Consulting, Lymens Medical Supply Limited, Nita Travels and Tours, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana.
With the clinic now in place, community members are being encouraged to make full use of the facility. Ms. Emily Amponsah, the Municipal Director of Health Services, urged residents to embrace the new clinic as a critical part of their healthcare journey.
As the Rotary Club of Accra-Ring Road Central looks to the future, the Berekuso clinic stands as a shining example of how meaningful partnerships can bridge the healthcare gap for communities that need it most.
