For years, residents of Garkuon and neighbouring communities have had to travel several miles to access primary healthcare.
Their situation was worsened by the poor condition of the road linking the community to the Kalba township and the nearest health facility.
This challenge caught the attention of HiChale ,a Kalba based NGO, which is into the support of community development.
Mr, Emmanuel Dery Kuusani, the Managing
Director of HiChale speaking at the commissioning of an ultra modern CHPS on Saturday , January 24,2026, noted that the project commenced in March 2025 with an initial plan for a six-month completion period.
“It was however ,delivered in nine months due to prevailing security challenges in the area, the facility was handed over on 31st December 2025, and its commissioning marks its transition into full operational use”Mr Emmanuel stated.
According to him, the project was implemented at a total cost of one million Ghana cedis, a figure that was openly disclosed to the public during the sod-cutting ceremony.
The project components include; a fully constructed CHPS compound,two residential accommodation units for health staff, Solar power for the facility, mechanised borehole serving the CHPS, essential medical equipment, a motorbike to support outreach services, and an additional solar mechanised borehole for Jieyiri community.
These interventions are expected to benefit over 3,000 people across seven communities, with particular emphasis on maternal and child health care.
“We wish to sincerely acknowledged our implementation partners, Aktionskreis Pater Hagen and Rüt’n’Rock Association, and our donor, Schmitz Stiftung, whose generous support made this project possible , alongside that of our contractors and the community remained strong even in the face of foreign exchange pressures and security constraints”, Mr Emmanuel added.
Madam Getrude Yentumi,the Sawla -Tuna Kalba District Director of health lauded the efforts of HiChale whose commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the District has been exemplary.
The health director mentioned that not only have they constructed this modern CHPS compound in Garkuon, but they also renovated the Saru CHPS compound bringing new life into a facility that that continues to serve countless families.
These interventions are tangible demonstrations of their dedication to community health promotions, she indicated.
According to her,the CHPS compound concept is at the heart of Ghana’s primary healthcare system, it brings essential health services closer to the people such as maternal and child health, disease prevention, health education, and emergency care.
“With this facility, the people of Garkuon will no longer have to travel long distance for basic health services and so mothers will have a safe place for antenatal care, children will receive timely immunization and families will benefit from preventive health education right here in their community”, she added.
While we celebrate this achievement, let us also remember that healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility.
“So I urge the community to take ownership of this facility, protect it, maintain it and support the health workers who will serve here, together we can ensure that this investment continues to benefit generation to come”,she said.
She also called on other NGO’s to come and support Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district in developing the health system.
Garkuonwura Seidu Adams thanked HiChale the for bringing such project to his community to support healthcare delivery.
Garba Garkuonwura , urged the community to support the health workers to deliver and that they also put the edifice into a good use.
Diwura Abdul Fataw
