The Lordina Foundation, led by First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama, has built, fully equipped and handed over an ultramodern maternity and children’s ward to the Asukawkaw Clinic in the Karachi East District of the Oti Region.

The initiative was undertaken by the Foundation following an appeal on March 2, 2025, by Nana Odam Gyamfi III, the Paramount Chief of Akroso Asukawkaw Traditional Area.

Mrs Mahama in her address said the new facility had been carefully designed to serve mothers and children with dignity and excellence.

She said it included a reception and waiting area, a doctor’s office, nurses’ offices, a children’s ward and maternity ward, a fully equipped operating theatre, a delivery room, a sterilisation room, and a neonatal intensive care unit.

She noted that the ward was also equipped with essential life-saving equipment, including electric beds, operating tables, infant incubators, ultrasound systems, caesarean and delivery sets, ECG (electrocardiogram) machines, phototherapy machines, patient monitors, oxygen support systems, and other equipment.

The First Lady said the Asukawkaw maternity ward was equipped with solar panels to provide emergency lighting and reduce electricity use.

“We have also provided furniture, waiting chairs, decks, cabinets, cleaning and cleaning supplies, ensuring this facility is ready to serve from day one,” she said.

She said the Asukawkaw facility was the fourth modern health facility completed by the Lordina Foundation.

“The first was in Bole, the second in Nkoranza, the third in Bodom, and now in Asukawkaw. We have also renovated and expanded the Hohoe and Adabraka Clinics,” She added.

Mrs Mahama said each facility reflected their belief that no woman should die while giving birth, and that no child should begin life without proper care, simply because of where they were born.

“Across our nation, we have had heartbreaking stories of life lost because of lack of hospital beds, poor maintenance, and systems that failed when they were needed most.

“We cannot allow that to happen yet. I urge the health authorities, management teams, and this entire community, please protect this facility, maintain it well, use it wisely, and let it serve this generation and many generations to come.”

Mrs Mahama said the Foundation believes that when a mother was safe, a nation was strong.

She said when a girl guides herself to healthcare, her future becomes limitless.

“When communities come together to protect the vulnerable, hope comes alive. Our humanitarian mission remains clear, to make primary healthcare accessible to women, girls, and the elderly.”

She noted that this year and beyond, the Foundation would continue to invest not only in facilities, but also in resilient health systems.

She said they were grateful to their partners – OAFLAD (Organisation of African First Ladies for Development), Meck Foundation, and many others who share their vision of a healthier, more caring world.

“As I stand here today, I remember the words in that email, the quiet cries for help, the urgent plea for dignity in childbirth.

Nananom no woman should lose her life while giving birth to life,” she said.

‘No child should begin their journey without care. No community should be left behind. Let this facility be more than a building.

Let this remind us that together with the government, traditional leaders, health workers, development partners, and communities, we can build a Ghana where every woman, every child, and every vulnerable person is protected and supported.”

Nana Odam Gyamfi III, the Paramount Chief of Akrofo Asukawkaw Traditional Area installed Mrs Mahama as the Development Queen Mother (Nkosuohemaa) of the Akrofo Asukawkaw Traditional Area.

He thanked Mrs Mahama for putting up the new Maternity and Children’s Ward for them at Asukawkaw.

He also appealed to the Government to upgrade the Asukawkaw Clinic into a Polyclinic.

Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, announced that the Government would this year begin the construction of three regional hospitals of which the Oti Region be a beneficiary.