Akropong citizens benefit from diasporan health screening

The TEAM CSR, a non -profit organisation, in collaboration with Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo Foundation (OKWAF) and the Akuapehene, as part of the 4th Annual Easter Health Fair, has organised free health screening for the people of Akropong- Akuapem in the Akuapem North Municipality in the Eastern Region. 

The event, which is an annual activity organised by TEAM CSR at different places in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions, was mainly sponsored by the Africans in the diaspora and, in particular, Borris Automotive, Safety Solutions and Dr David Arnold. 

The participants were screened for eye diseases, blood pressure, and diabetes, among others, by the staff of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) from Adukrom in the Okere District and Akropong in the Akuapem North Municipality.

The beneficiaries were also registered freely onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Participants who were diagnosed with serious health challenges were referred by the health workers to appropriate health facilities for redress.

Odwira Festival  

This year’s event coincided with the 200-year anniversary of the Odwira Festival of the people of Okuapemman and was, therefore, witnessed by the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TEAM CSR, Jonathan Akuamoah, said he was pleased with the various age groups that showed up for the screening.

He said the screening had been a huge success, looking at the number of people who took part.

He was equally grateful to the diaspora friends who usually sponsored the event, as their presence motivated the participants for the day.

“I am particularly happy that some of our diaspora friends, the sponsors, are here, and they have seen for themselves what their sponsorships have been doing in Ghana, especially putting smiles on the faces of those who need quality healthcare service.

“This is what we do every year, and we are in the fourth year.

With our diaspora friends who are our sponsors, we shall continue and support the needed communities with quality healthcare,” Mr Akuamoah said.

Nana Kwame Donkor Kissiedu II, Akrahene of Okuapemman, who also doubles as a kingmaker and a representative of the Akuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, lauded the organisers, especially TEAM CSR, for recognising Akuapem for this year’s event.

“I have witnessed what has happened, and I shall brief the Akuapemhene whom I have represented of all that transpired here.

In fact, the activity is an awareness creation exercise which must be continued from time to time for the sake of our health. 

Nana Donkor Kissiedu, however, advised the organisers to intensify their advertisements to cover a lot of places and communities in the Akuapem area if the team visited them again. 

He expressed his displeasure at the lifestyles of the youth these days, especially the use of hard drugs and other activities that normally would jeopardise their health and pleaded with them to desist from such untoward activities and situations for their own safety.              
 

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Eastern Regional Director, Jones Aruna Nelson, who was represented by the Assistant Standard and Quality Officer for GTA, Francisca Seli Jiagge, noted that at GTA, Odwira was not just a tradition but a cornerstone of the country’s national identity and an integral pillar of tourism in Ghana.

She said GTA’s campaign “See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana and Feel Ghana was more than a slogan, “it is a way of life”.

She, however, said we could only truly ‘’Feel Ghana’’ when our citizens were healthy, vibrant and strong enough to showcase our rich culture to the world.