‘Transform Tema General Hospital into World-Class Health Facility’ – Raphael Ahenu Urges Mahama

By Edmond Gyebi

International human rights activist and Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to urgently upgrade the Tema General Hospital into a modern, state-of-the-art health facility to deliver first-class healthcare services to residents of Tema and its environs.

According to Mr. Ahenu, the call has become more critical following the revival of full operations at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), a development that reaffirms Tema’s status as Ghana’s leading industrial enclave.

“TEMA is the heartbeat of Ghana’s industrial economy. With the Tema Oil Refinery back to life and operating at full capacity, the city now hosts thousands of industrial workers exposed to occupational and environmental health risks,” Mr. Ahenu stated. “It is therefore unacceptable for such a strategic industrial hub to rely on an overstretched and under-resourced hospital.”

He stressed that the increasing industrial activities, population growth, and urban pressures in Tema demand a comprehensive upgrade of the hospital’s infrastructure, equipment, specialist units, and human resources to meet international standards.

Mr. Ahenu noted that a modernized Tema General Hospital should include advanced emergency and trauma care, occupational and industrial health units, diagnostic and imaging centres, maternal and neonatal services, and digital health systems to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.

“This is not just a Tema issue; it is a national development and human rights concern,” he emphasized. “Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, and the government has an obligation to ensure that citizens, especially in high-risk industrial zones, receive timely and quality medical care.”

He further linked his appeal to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which seeks to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”
“Upgrading Tema General Hospital directly contributes to SDG 3 by strengthening health systems, reducing preventable deaths, improving emergency response, and promoting universal access to quality healthcare. You cannot talk about industrial growth, decent work, and economic productivity without investing in strong healthcare infrastructure.”

Mr. Ahenu urged the President to prioritize the hospital upgrade as part of a broader national health infrastructure agenda, arguing that a world-class facility in Tema would not only serve residents but also support workers in the port, refinery, manufacturing, and logistics sectors.

He concluded by appealing to stakeholders, including Parliament, the Ministry of Health, and development partners, to support the initiative, noting that “a healthy workforce is the foundation of sustainable development and economic resilience.”

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