In update number 8 of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana by the President of the Republic of Ghana on April 26, 2020, His Excellency, Nana Addo promised to build 88 new hospitals in districts without hospitals to accelerate the progress the government in making in the fight against the pandemic.
In a list released on the 15th of May, 2020, Berekum West District was selected as a beneficiary of the 88 hospitals to boost the countries health infrastructure especially in these times of COVID-19.
In a letter signed by the Minister of Local government, Hon Hajia Alima Mahama, instructed the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District chief executives including of Berekum West’s DCE, Hon Isaac Osei is to collaborate with Nananom to make available at least, 15acres of land for the commencement of the construction of the hospital.
In a follow up to hon Isaac Osei, DCE of Berekum West on the status of the minister’s directive, he revealed that chief of Jinijini who also double as Akyempimhene of Berekum Traditional Council, Osabarima Baffour Asare Tutu ll has donated fifteen (15) acres of litigation free land on the Ayimom -Nifa Road to the district assembly. He pointed out that the assembly’s physical planning officer is working on all the necessary transfer documentation to the government and hopes the processes are completed before 31st May 2020.
The Jinijinihene used the opportunity to thank the President for the gesture and assured that Nanamom is ready to provide all the necessary support to make the hospital a reality.
However, some people have raised concerns about why Berekum East didn’t benefit from such a facility since the municipality doesn’t have a government hospital, but the response is that, though the municipality doesn’t have a district hospital, it has a mission hospital with a secondary level status, thus, Berekum East doesn’t qualify under the 88 hospitals which are indeed for districts without a hospital at all.
However, plans are underway to upgrade the Zongo clinic at the appropriate time as promised by the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Bawumia during his visit in 2018.
