Residents of Kitase, an Akuapem Twi speaking community in the Akuapem South municipality, which is located about 35 kilometres North East of Accra, have called for truce over standoff of a 120 bed hospital.
They have passionately called on the parties involved, particularly the Estate Developer, whose name was not readily given at the time of filing this report, to rescind the decision of not allowing the chiefs and people of the area to continue with the project.
This reporter was told that, in an effort of the chief of the area, Nana Kwesi Ankrah III, to improve and provide quality healthcare delivery, he decided to construct a 120 bed hospital through his personal resources.
But this important project has come to a standstill since the ceremonial sod-cutting and construction of some buildings for keeping of items for the project, following an impasse between the traditional leaders and an Estate Developer.
They explained that the only community clinic in the area can’t take care of their health needs because it lacks basic medical equipment and space to provide quality healthcare delivery.
According to the people, the Estate Developer has vowed not to release the land for the project since it belongs to him and was not engaged prior to the entering onto the land, a situation the traditional leaders have admitted.
The Chronicle was further informed that in order to bring peace, understanding and allow the project to continue, the traditional leaders have proposed and asked the Estate Developer to suggest any place and land of his choice, but the latter has not agreed.
Speaking to The Chronicle, the Assemblyman of the area, Emmanuel Degraft Johnson, called on the said Estate Developer to consider the importance of the hospital and its corresponding benefit, not only to the people of Kitase but the nation at large.
He explained that Kitase can only boast of what he described as a makeshift clinic without major equipment to provide quality healthcare delivery, leading to loss of lives in some instances, since serious situations have to be sent to Mampong.
The Kitase Assemblyman, who praised the chief of the area for his selflessness and sense of readiness to develop the area, was of the view that the 120 bed hospital would improve the quality of health delivery in the area.
He disclosed that the chief of the area has been instrumental in the developmental agendas of the place and called on everyone to support him to make the place an enviable community among all communities on the Akuapem Ridge.
The Ankobeahemaa of the place, Nana Akosua Asieduwaa II, said Nana Ankrah III is a chief that every community would admire to have because of his development drive and he has done a lot for the people.
She mentioned the construction of a by-pass that would link Gyankama, Kitase and Peduase road through personal resources to improve the traffic congestion on the Peduase –Kitase road.
The Ankobeahemaa continued that the chief of the area has sponsored about 150 brilliant but need individuals both within and outside of his traditional jurisdiction, with 50 out of the number pursuing medicine in Cuba.
Nana Asieduwaa II stated that Nana Ankrah III has effective collaboration with the Assembly to ensure the development of Kitase and cited an instance where he has to buy a parcel of land at a cost of GHC30, 000 for the construction of Vocational School.
On job creation, the Ankobeahemaa hinted that the chief is constructing a pre-paid meter firm to help address the unemployment situation of the youth and improve their living condition.
The Apedwehene of the area, Nana Kwame Boadu II, appealed to the residents, both home and abroad, to foster unity and peace with a common goal of development and eschew tendencies that would bring misunderstanding.
On his part, Nana Ankrah III encouraged the residents to join their development ideas to ensure that Kitase becomes an enviable community to live in.
The chief, who is known in private life as Benjamin Nii Amanor Cofie, stressed that despite the fact that development lies in the bosom of the central government, community contributions in determining how far the community would go, must be a concern to its members.
Most residents of Kitase are small-scale farmers and small-scale businesses usually trading in foodstuffs.
In the interim, Nana Ankrah III has started the construction of a new clinic which would stand the test of providing quality healthcare service for residents until the final area for the 120 bed hospital is resolved.
He further accentuated that, the area can now boast of modern police stations in order to improve the security situation of the area.
The post Kitase residents call for truce in dispute over construction of 120 bed hospital appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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