The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, the Most Rev. Prof. Johnson K. Asamoah-Gyadu, has commissioned a newly constructed 80-bed Obaapanin Abena Henewaa (Tiakaa) Orthopaedic Centre at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital.
The commissioning, held on Friday, April 17, 2026, formed part of the Bishop’s official visit to the Wenchi Diocese and brought together clergy, healthcare professionals, traditional authorities, and residents from across the municipality and beyond.
The project was undertaken in collaboration with the Wenchi Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Gloria Opoku Gyamfi, and the Paramount Queenmother of the Wenchi Traditional Area, Nana Afoa Pokuaa Dankoto II.
It was funded through support from the German government and the Ghana Community Niederbayern, led by Germany-based native of Wenchi, Nana Kwame Busia, in partnership with the Methodist Church Ghana.
The facility is named in honour of the late mother of Nana Kwame Busia, Obaapanin Abena Henewaa (Tiakaa).
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Wenchi Methodist Hospital, Nana Alexander Kwaku Kyei, disclosed that the €630,000 facility is designed to provide specialised orthopaedic care to residents in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Ashanti, and Western North regions, as well as the five northern regions.
It is also expected to serve patients from neighbouring countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The centre features separate wards for male, female, and paediatric patients, as well as private wards.
It also includes a training facility for nurses and specialised doctors, rest areas for patients’ relatives and caregivers, and modern patient-lifting equipment to enhance safety and ease of movement.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu reiterated the Church’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure across Ghana, noting that the initiative reflects its dedication to improving access to critical health services and promoting holistic well-being.
Hon. Gloria Opoku Gyamfi commended Nana Kwame Busia for his contribution to healthcare development in the municipality.
She noted that the commissioning of the facility aligns with the government’s broader agenda to improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
According to the MCE, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, efforts are being intensified to expand specialised healthcare services across the regions, reduce pressure on major referral hospitals, and bring quality care closer to communities.
She added that government continues to strengthen the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all, explaining that facilities like the new orthopaedic centre will complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by reducing delays and unnecessary referrals.
The MCE also highlighted the government’s primary healthcare policy, which aims to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations and rural communities.
Under the policy, every Ghanaian is entitled to one free basic health screening annually at health posts, CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics upon presentation of a valid national ID.
The Paramount Queenmother, Nana Afoa Pokuaa Dankoto II, who served as Guest of Honour, praised the Methodist Church Ghana for its continued contributions to education and healthcare in the area.
She urged other religious organisations to emulate such efforts to drive development in the municipality.
An orthopaedic surgeon at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital, Dr. Sibiri Ballu, noted that the new facility will significantly improve the treatment of fractures, trauma injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
He added that the previous orthopaedic ward had faced severe overcrowding over the past decade, limiting access to timely care.
Nana Kwame Busia, for his part, urged the hospital’s management to adopt a strong maintenance culture to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the facility.
By 1960news.com
