A new chapter in child healthcare delivery has begun in Suhum following the commissioning of a fully equipped Children’s Wellness and Medical Centre at the Suhum Government Hospital.
The facility, constructed and fully donated at no cost by global non-profit Love Without Walls, replaces an aging 24-bed children’s ward that served more than 180,000 people across Suhum and nearby municipalities.
Its completion marks a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen pediatric healthcare delivery in the area, providing a more dignified and well-equipped environment for children and their families.
In his welcome address, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Ahmed Tijani Sulemana, described the facility as a transformative addition to healthcare in the Eastern Region, noting that it is the first of its kind.
He acknowledged longstanding challenges with the previous ward, stressing that it could not adequately meet the growing needs of children within the hospital’s catchment area.
“The former children’s block was limited in capacity and could not adequately meet the growing healthcare needs of the children within our catchment area.
“Therefore, when I assumed office as Medical Superintendent, I looked forward with great anticipation to the completion of this important project,” he stated.
Dr Sulemana emphasised the critical link between infrastructure and quality healthcare delivery, adding that the new centre meets the standards required to provide efficient and dignified care.
“This children’s medical and wellness centre will not only serve the people of Suhum and its surrounding communities, but also provide essential healthcare services to travellers who ply the Accra-Kumasi Highway, given the strategic location of the hospital,” he added.
While expressing appreciation to the donors and leadership of Love Without Walls, he appealed for further support in key areas, including the provision of an ambulance, renovation of the maternity block, and additional equipment for the new facility.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Love Without Walls, Dr Hartford Dawson, in his keynote address, recounted the journey behind the project, describing it as one that evolved far beyond its initial scope.
“About 12 months ago, we thought we needed $30,000 to complete the project,” he revealed.
“But as we assessed what it truly meant to build a first-class children’s facility, from air-conditioning to high-density beds and proper equipment, we realised even $75,000 would not be enough.”
Despite early challenges and funding setbacks, he said the organisation pressed on.
“We did not raise $30,000. We did not raise $75,000. We raised $130,000. This is the most we have raised in any 12-month period since 2014,” he said.
Dr Dawson disclosed that the facility now boasts more than 60 beds fitted with high-quality mattresses, as well as over 13 restrooms designed to accommodate caregivers who may stay overnight.
“We were well aware that some of the mothers would stay here night after night. So we had to prepare for them as well,” he noted.
He traced the inspiration for the project to a visit to Suhum in 2014, where he witnessed the conditions under which children were receiving care.
“I saw the need. I saw the lack of space. I heard the pain and felt the pain of the children,” he said, adding that a near-death illness later deepened his resolve to deliver on what he described as a divine assignment.
Dr Dawson assured that the organisation would continue to support the hospital, stressing that the facility must be properly maintained.
“This is a gift that must be cherished. And we are not walking away, we will continue to support the children of Suhum,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, the Deputy Director of Clinical Care for the Eastern Region, Dr Samuel Borlabi, underscored the urgency of improving child healthcare outcomes.
“Child health remains one of the most urgent priorities of our regional health agenda,” he stated, citing ongoing challenges such as under-five mortality, neonatal complications, malnutrition, and preventable diseases.
“Access to quality pediatric care at the municipal and district level is not a luxury, it is a life-saving necessity,” he added.
He described the new ward as a direct response to these challenges, saying it would expand capacity, reduce pressure on referral hospitals, and provide a more dignified environment for care.
“This ward is not just a building. It is a strategy made visible. It is our commitment standing in concrete and steel,” he stressed.
He charged management of the Suhum Government Hospital to prioritise maintenance of the facility, stressing that its longevity would depend on discipline and commitment.
“I am therefore calling on management to make the maintenance of this ward a standing priority, not a seasonal effort, but a consistent discipline and accountable commitment. Cleanliness must be non-negotiable. Hygiene standards must be upheld every single day. Equipment must be serviced and safeguarded,” he said.
Dr Borlabi further warned against neglect, urging that the facility must always reflect the quality of care it was built to deliver.
“Let no one visit this facility years from now and find it in a state that dishonours the generosity that built it,” he added.
Member of Parliament for Suhum, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, praised the initiative and the commitment of Love Without Walls, describing Dr Dawson as a remarkable humanitarian.
“Your selfless contribution has not only brought hope but will significantly change the landscape of healthcare delivery in Suhum,” he said.
He pledged that the facility would be protected and maintained, describing it as a “sacred trust” for the people of the municipality.
“Therefore, we pledge to take good care of this facility for decades to come. Your kindness will save lives. And we promise to honour your name by making this facility a beacon of healing and hope for children,” he said.
On her part, the Municipal Chief Executive of Suhum, Lydia Ohenewa, also hailed the project as a major step forward in improving healthcare delivery for children.
“This commissioning ushers in a new era in pediatric healthcare within the municipality. It will ease pressure on existing facilities and ensure timely, efficient and quality healthcare for our children,” she said.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure under President John Mahama, while calling for continued collaboration with development partners.
“As the Municipal Chief Executive, I refrain my unwavering commitment to supporting initiative that enhance healthcare delivery. The assembly remain dedicated to building a resilient, inclusive and health-conscious municipality where no child is deprived of access to quality medical care.”
She called on development partners, corporate institutions, and stakeholders to continue to collaborate with the government as they work together to achieve universal health coverage and improve the well-being of Ghanaians.
In his closing remarks, the Chief of Suhum and Chairman of the event, Osabarima Ayeh Kofi Opare I, reflected on the journey from vision to reality, commending the determination behind the project and urging the community to safeguard it.
“You cultivated a vision and it has turned into something truly magnificent,” he said.
He noted that the project, first conceived in 2014, has now become a lasting legacy for the people of Suhum.
“This is something we dreamt of in 2014, and today it has become a reality. You have done this not just for me, but for generations yet unborn. Others may leave Suhum, but I will remain here. This is my home,” he said.
Osabarima Ayeh Kofi Opare I called on residents, local authorities, and stakeholders, including the Municipal Chief Executive and the Member of Parliament, to treat the facility as a collective responsibility.
“It is now up to all of us as citizens of Suhum to hold this in our hearts. We must not take such a gift for granted,” he stressed.
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