The Catholic Diocese of Damongo in the Savannah Region has officially cut sod for the upgrade of the St. Joseph Health Centre in Kalba into a primary-level hospital. The ceremony took place at Kalba on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Delivering the welcome address, the Diocesan Director of Health Services, Mr. Aiden Ngmenbo, described the initiative as more than just an expansion of infrastructure, calling it “a vital investment in the health, dignity, and future of our people.”
According to Mr. Ngmenbo, the facility’s upgrade is expected to significantly transform healthcare delivery in Kalba, the wider Savannah Region, and beyond, while contributing meaningfully to Ghana's broader national health objectives.
“The upgrade holds enormous promise for this community,” he stated. “It means access to more comprehensive and higher-quality healthcare services closer to home. This will reduce both the cost and time of traveling to distant health facilities and ultimately help save lives.”
He highlighted that the new facility will enhance access to critical maternal and child health services key indicators of any effective health system.
It will also embed St. Joseph Health Centre into a growing network of healthcare institutions focused on collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Mr. Ngmenbo called on the central government, represented by the District Chief Executive, the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Andrew Dari Chiwitey, the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. SalisuBi-Awuribi, and the Regional Director of Health Services, to continue supporting the diocese not only in infrastructure development but also in staffing, logistics, and operational funding.
“No individual's parochial interest should supersede the collective good of this facility,” he emphasized, adding that inclusivity must be a guiding principle as the project progresses.
He also commended the hardworking health staff at the St. Joseph Health Centre for their selfless dedication and professionalism, despite working under limited resources in a deprived area. He noted that their efforts have laid the foundation for the upgrade.
Mr. Ngmenbo further appealed to the people of Kalba to support the contractors to ensure timely completion of the project.
The Chief of Kalba, Garba Kalba Wura Amaliya Saaka, expressed gratitude to the Catholic Diocese for the initiative. He also acknowledged the staff of the health facility for their dedication in serving the community, often at the expense of being away from their families and loved ones.
The upgraded facility will include a theatre, maternity ward, male and female wards, an ambulance, and other essential equipment required for a primary-level hospital.
The estimated cost of the project is GH¢7.2 million, approximately €415,000. The project is expected to be completed within three years.
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