The Stroke Association Support Network (SASNET) – Ghana, an NGO dedicated to advocacy, awareness and prevention of stroke, has named Accra-based businessman, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, as its patron.

The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of The Community Hospitals (TCH) Group, followed his selflessness and determination to attend to the health needs of people in the catchment areas of the TCH.  

The Group currently operates The Community Hospital in Ashongman Estates, Trinity Community Hospital in Ashaiman and the Kaneshi Medical Centre all in the Greater Accra Region. It also owns The Community Hospital in Akyem Oda, Kukurantumi and Somanya in the Eastern Region.

The announcement was made Monday, October 29, during the World Stroke Day celebration at Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region.

The theme for the celebration was “Up again after stroke- There is life after a stroke.”

A letter signed by National Vice Chairman of the SASNET, Alfred Hayford Opoku-Biney, explained the decision by leadership and the Board of Directors for appointing Mr Acquah.

“Since this is an infant organisation, we needed committed and trusted men and women to help nurse this organisation to grow to be one of the best NGOs in the world at large. We sincerely believe that we have made a good a choice and your inclusion in our management will surely help the growth of our organisation,” the letter said.  

In his address, Mr Akwasi Acquah was grateful to SASNET-Ghana, for recognising his contribution to the health needs of citizens of the country.

According to him, stroke, which is the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death in Ghana, which can happen to anyone at any age. 

“Stroke affects everyone; survivors, families and friends, workplaces and communities,” he noted.

“Every year 17million people are affected with stroke globally. 6.5million people deaths result from stroke and 26million people are currently living with stroke, Data available across various hospitals in Ghana shows that stroke cases top all OPD cases or hospital admissions," he said.

He added: “About 8,151 stroke survivors are unable to access the right medical care across the country due to social economic barriers, which includes poverty, unavailability of rehabilitation centres at certain communities and lack of drugs for treatment and myths or superstition.”

Mr. Acquah advocated that Ghana “adopted the Global Stroke Bill of Right (GSBoR) in our quest to scale up stroke prevention and advocate for support for stroke survivors across the country.”

This he said will ensure that persons who have had Stroke, have the right to receive the best stroke care informed and prepared and to be supported in their recovery.