The Sonlaar Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has unveiled a GHS2 million multi-purpose hospital project aimed at addressing health gaps in rural Ghana and creating job opportunities, particularly for the residents of Buopunkoraa and its surrounding areas in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region.

The project, still in its early stages, was jointly launched by the Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe, and the Member of Parliament for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Andrew Dari Chiwetey.

The facility is designed to include all the essential components of a district hospital, such as theatres, labour wards, accident and emergency wards, general wards, CWC, ANC, maternity wards, mortuary, as well as dispensary and laboratory units.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sonlaar Foundation, Dr Joseph Sonlaar, stated that the foundation was established in memory of their late father and a revered man of God, Moses Sonlaar Tibotey, who passed away in 2020.

He explained that one of the foundation's key objectives is to improve health infrastructure, supporting Ghana's universal health coverage agenda.

Dr Sonlaar extended an invitation to the central government for a partnership role in the Buopunkoraa project.

He highlighted the fact that the project is located in a remote area of western Tuna, which lacks electricity and proper access roads.

"I know President John Dramani Mahama has a vested interest in health. Therefore, through the Savannah Regional Minister and the MP for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, I submit to him our appeal," he said.

"We kindly ask him to extend the tentacles of the Mahama Care Fund to help complete this community-based initiative, making healthcare accessible to the people in the area," Dr Sonlaar pleaded.

He also shared that the members of the six beneficiary communities surrounding the hospital have volunteered to contribute through communal labour to cover the cost of the construction.

The Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe, commended the foundation for the initiative and promised the government’s support for the project.

He assured that the government would partner with the foundation to bring healthcare to the doorstep of the people in the area.

"I encourage you to liaise with the Ghana Health Service and the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council. Once the project is completed, the government will enter into a joint partnership in managing the facility," Minister Be-Awuribe said.

He further explained that this model of public-private sector collaboration has been successfully applied to other health facilities, where government funds the staff’s salaries and monitors the management of the facility.

"This is the most effective way, especially for a facility in a hard-to-reach area where the community may not be able to bear the full cost of healthcare services due to economic challenges," he added.

Minister Be-Awuribe also assured the foundation that the government would support the hospital to accept health insurance and be listed among registered health institutions upon completion.

The Member of Parliament for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Andrew Dari Chiwetey, praised the initiative and described his contributions to healthcare delivery in the district as substantial.

“It’s a known fact that whenever the NDC is in government, we ensure that development reaches the rural areas. We build schools, hospitals, roads, extend electricity, and construct clinics and polyclinics, among many other things,” said MP Chiwetey.

Mr Chiwetey also reflected on his time as an MP in opposition, stating, "During my eight years in opposition, I did not sit idly. I proudly tell you that my contributions, including my 5 per cent Common Fund, were more impactful than the district assembly's efforts," he said

"I helped the people of Konkorepe build a CHIPS Compound and donated GHS40,000, including GHS10,000 from a friend, for the re-roofing of the Kalba Health Centre, which was damaged by a rainstorm. I have supported numerous health posts and infrastructure projects in the district," he added.

At the event, both the Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament each donated GHS10,000 towards the construction of the multi-purpose hospital in Buopunkoraa.