Members of the Ghana Black Stars, the nation's celebrated football team, today visited the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to throw their weight behind the Asantehene’s Ten Million United States Dollar (S10m) renovation project for the hospital.

Dubbed “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” (HeKAP), the project, which formed part of the legacy projects marking the 25th anniversary celebration of the coronation of Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, as the Asantehene, is aimed at the comprehensive renovation and modernisation of the original blocks at the hospital.  

During their visit, the Black Stars, accompanied by officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), interacted with healthcare workers, patients, and members of the HeKAP team to better appreciate the project's importance to the enhancement of quality healthcare services in the Ashanti Region and beyond. 

Welcoming the team, Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, Chief Executive of KATH highlighted the rich history of the hospital relative to its contribution to the provision of specialist healthcare care services over the years as the sole tertiary facility in its area of operations, the current state of its old blocks and the significance of the Asantehene’s intervention.

“This hospital was built 70 years ago but it has never witnessed any comprehensive renovation, a situation which has negatively affected the quality of inpatient care provided to the public”. 

“This timely intervention by the Asantehene is focused on transforming the hospital’s wards and other inpatient facilities, modernizing its equipment and improving the overall environment for both patients and staff” Prof. Addai-Mensah explained.  

He said as the sole tertiary facility in this part of Ghana, the hospital remains the only facility where members of the team during their stay in Kumasi for their matches could receive specialist care should anything untoward happen to them and it was important that they all support the initiative to put it in a better shape.

Prof. Addai-Mensah expressed his gratitude to the officials of the GFA and members of the Black Stars team for the visit and support which he said “will not only brings attention to the Asantehene’s initiative but also inspire others to support the efforts to provide quality healthcare to the people of Ghana."

Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo’s Hiahene and representative on the HeKAP team congratulated the team for bringing smiles into the faces of Ghanaians with their victory over the Central Africa Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.

He said as national and international figures, they were uniquely positioned to use their network and influence to mobilise support for the project by adding their voices to the Asantehene’s call on members of the public to contribute their widow’s mite towards the execution of the project.

Mr. Kurt Okraku, the GFA President, shared his thoughts on the visit describing it as deeply moving. He said KATH has over the years attended to several footballers and fans who had been injured during matches and both the association and the team owe it a duty to support such a worthy cause by the Asantehene to renovate it.

"We are deeply honored to support the Heal Komfo Anokye Project. As public figures, it is our duty to give back to our communities. This project will have incredible impact on the people of Ghana, and we are here to show our solidarity and encourage others to contribute", Mr. Okraku emphasised.

The chairman of HeKAP, Mr. Samuel Adu-Boakye expressed the gratitude of the hospital, his team and the Manhyia Palace to the Black Stars for the visit which he said has fostered a strong connection between the team and the community, highlighting the profound power and ability of sporting figures to contribute to addressing societal challenges. 

Also in attendance in the meeting was the Black Stars technical team led by Coach Otto Addo.

Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah