The chief advocate for the Heal Komfo Anokye Project, known as Heal KATH, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expounded on the motive for the project and appealed to the general public, especially students and their guardians at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), to help give a facelift to the deteriorated Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
At the climax of the 57th Congregation of the KNUST on Saturday, March 23, 2024, the Asantehene, who is also the Chancellor of the institution, underscored the relevance of the project to medical students of the school as well as individuals.
He explained, “The initiative seeks to mobilize US$10 million to renovate Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. As I indicated during the launch, the level of deterioration of the hospital is way beyond the capability of Management of the hospital alone. KATH, which is 70 years old, continues to be the only referral hospital in the whole of the Northern part of Ghana.
“Aside from being a major referral health center, the hospital doubles as the main teaching centre for all the students of this noble institution pursuing programmes in the health profession. The cost of training our doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, physiotherapists, and a host of other professionals in an unhealthy environment would be too dear for us as a nation if we do not confront and rectify the problem now.”
He thus appealed to parents, guardians, and students to rally behind the initiative with any amount they can afford.
“I, therefore, call on parents, guardians, and all of us gathered as well as those in the virtual space to come to my aid to help heal Komfo Anokye. As we heal Komfo Anokye, we support KNUST’s effort in training professionals. No amount is too small.”
He noted that amounts released by students and parents would go a long way to support the much-needed initiative.
“If we get ¢10 from each of our over 85,000 students, that is a significant amount. If I get ¢100 from each of the parents and guardians of our over 80,000 students, that is equally a very significant amount.”
Source: Manhyia Palace
