By Blamey K. Kekeli
Sogakope, June 01, GNA-The Tongu Cluster of Compassion-assisted projects has officially ended its eight-year Survival and Early Childhood Intervention Programme, which supported 1,211 mothers, infants and caregivers across communities in the Tongu and Adaklu areas.
The closure ceremony, held at the Global Evangelical Church, Sogakope, was under the theme: “From Survival to Thriving: Sustaining Hope for Every Child.”
The programme, implemented by Compassion International Ghana in collaboration with local churches and community stakeholders, was designed to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality while improving access to essential health services during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
Madam Esinam Agbador, former Project Director of the Mafi-Dove Child and Youth Development Centre and Chairperson of the occasion, described the intervention as transformative, noting that it had strengthened maternal healthcare systems and improved household resilience.
She said the initiative had contributed to safer pregnancies, improved delivery outcomes and enhanced child development, adding that its impact would continue beyond its formal closure.
“The end of the survival intervention does not signify the end of support for beneficiaries, but rather a transition into a more holistic phase of child development,” she said.
Mrs Agbador commended caregivers, health professionals, churches and community volunteers for their commitment, urging continued engagement in successor programmes.
Mr Richard Baku, Partnership Facilitator of Compassion International Ghana, said the programme was launched in December 2017 in response to persistent maternal and child health challenges, including poverty, malnutrition and limited access to quality healthcare.
He said the intervention covered eight communities — Mafi Dove, Volo, New Bakpa, Mafi Gidikpoe, Mafi Kumase, Mafi Anfoe and Mafi Zongo — using an integrated community-based approach combining healthcare delivery, nutrition support, caregiver education and child protection.
According to him, the programme began with 65 mothers and 55 babies but expanded over the years to reach 1,211 beneficiaries.
Mr Baku noted that beyond healthcare, the intervention also focused on economic empowerment, with 226 caregivers benefiting from apprenticeship and skills development to improve household incomes.
He called for sustained collaboration among churches, traditional authorities, the Ghana Health Service and local government institutions to preserve the gains made, strengthen male involvement in childcare and deepen community-based maternal health support systems.
Mr Matthew Adam, Central Tongu District Health Director, underscored the need for a coordinated multisectoral response involving state institutions, NGOs and community stakeholders to address maternal and child health challenges.
He highlighted key concerns including teenage pregnancy, malnutrition, malaria, anaemia among pregnant women, poor health-seeking behaviour and limited access to quality healthcare services.
He further stressed the importance of addressing the “four delays” — delay in seeking care, transport, availability of skilled staff and referral challenges — as critical to reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
Mr Adam also expressed appreciation to Compassion International Ghana and implementing partners for their contribution to improved maternal and child health outcomes in the district.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Compassion International Ghana, Madam Rashidatu Iddrisah, Manager of Programme Support, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to holistic child development and strengthened community health systems.
She noted that the Survival and Early Childhood Intervention Programme was intentionally designed to safeguard mothers and children during the most vulnerable stages of life, particularly the first 1,000 days, when interventions have the greatest impact on long-term health and development outcomes.
She explained that over the eight-year implementation period, the programme evolved beyond basic health support to include nutrition education, caregiver empowerment, child protection, and economic strengthening initiatives.
Madam Iddrisah commended implementing partners, local churches and health workers for their collaboration, describing the achievements recorded in the Tongu Cluster as a demonstration of what sustained partnerships can achieve.
She further encouraged stakeholders to consolidate the gains made and ensure continuity of best practices as the programme transitions into its next phase of support.
Mama Drapey III, Queen mother of Mafi Adidome, emphasized that maternal health and healthy living remain fundamental to building strong families and a healthier nation.
She underscored the importance of quality prenatal care, skilled delivery, and comprehensive postnatal support within the first six weeks of childbirth to prevent complications and safeguard the wellbeing of both mother and child.
She further advocated the wider adoption of family planning to enable couples to make informed decisions on child spacing.
The Queen mother also highlighted the need for healthy lifestyle practices, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs, as well as adequate rest and stress management to promote optimal maternal and fetal health.
She called on parents, health professionals, traditional authorities, and development partners to sustain and build upon the gains achieved.
She expressed gratitude to implementing partners for their support and appealed for renewed commitment to secure a safer and healthier future for children and generations yet unborn.
The ceremony brought together traditional leaders, clergy, Ghana Health Service officials, local government representatives, caregivers, community volunteers and project staff, marking both a celebration of achievements and a call to sustain the gains made over the past eight years.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade