Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, Nov. 15, GNA – The Teshie Community Clinic has reopened to resume healthcare services following concerns raised by residents of Teshie Maamli in the Ledzokuku municipality.
The clinic, which was temporarily shut down on Wednesday, November 13, for rehabilitation works, reopened on Thursday, November 14.
The closure was initiated after the Ministry of Health issued a directive, informing the clinic’s management of plans for the facility’s renovation and requesting the relocation of operations.
The letter dated October 16, 2024, and signed by Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Minister of Health and the New Patriotic Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for the area, cited the increasing population and pressure on the facility as the reason for the directive.
However, the move faced significant opposition from residents, who felt the closure was poorly timed and politically motivated.
Nii Boye Martey, a resident, voiced his concern, stating that the clinic had been an essential healthcare provider, particularly for pregnant women and children in the community.
While the residents were not opposed to the rehabilitation, they expressed frustration with the timing, as the facility had been recently renovated and re-equipped just six months ago by the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku.
When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the clinic on November 13, it confirmed the temporary closure.
A public notice posted by the Ledzokuku Municipal Health Directorate informed residents that clinical services at the Teshie Community Clinic had been halted and urged them to access healthcare at nearby facilities such as LEKMA Hospital, Family Health Hospital, Camp 2 Health Center, and Finger of God Maternity Home.
The closure sparked further discontent among local Assembly Members, who held a press conference on November 7 to protest the decision.
Mr. Samuel Laryea, Assembly Member for the Akror West Electoral Area, stated that the community would resist any move to disrupt services at the clinic, which had been in operation for over 25 years.
He also highlighted concerns over the slow progress of the La General Hospital project, which remained incomplete after nearly seven years, prompting fears of a similar delay with the Teshie Clinic.
In contrast, a group called the Concerned Residents of Ledzokuku, led by Wisdom Nii Martey Donkor, the NPP Constituency Organizer for Ledzokuku, held a counter press conference to dismiss rumours that the Minister of Health intended to demolish the clinic.
Donkor clarified that the rehabilitation plans were aimed at transforming the facility into a modern healthcare center, with a GHC50 million grant already secured to support the upgrade.
He urged the public to disregard the rumours and support the efforts of Dr. Okoe-Boye in improving healthcare services in the area, assuring that the intention was to enhance the facility, not destroy it.
GNA