A newly constructed vaccine cold room, intended to be a cornerstone of healthcare for the Western North Region, remains non-operational due to a lack of electricity.
The facility was built through a high-profile collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), CANGIVE Canada, and UNICEF.
Despite its completion, the cold room has never been powered on because no initial arrangements were made to connect it to the national grid.
Speaking at the Annual Performance Review on March 26, 2026, Dr. Clara Paulina Appiah, the Regional Director of Health Services, flagged the situation as a critical bottleneck for the directorate.
According to Dr. Appiah, the facility lacks the dedicated power infrastructure required for high-capacity cooling.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has inspected the site and determined that a new, dedicated transformer is required.
The directorate has formally petitioned both the Ministry of Health and the GHS for the necessary funding and technical support.
”The lack of power is a major challenge. We are currently awaiting support to resolve the transformer issue so we can begin storing vaccines safely within the region,” Dr. Appiah stated.
Despite the setback, Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, Deputy Director-General of the GHS, commended the regional team for maintaining service standards under difficult conditions.
Dr. Amissah reiterated the government’s broader vision for equitable healthcare, highlighting the phased rollout of free primary healthcare.
She noted that while coverage is not yet universal, expansion remains a top priority.
She further emphasized that President John Dramani Mahama remains committed to ensuring every Ghanaian has access to improved medical delivery.
The event also featured remarks from Nana Ellou Payin III, Board Chairman of the Western North Regional Health Directorate.
While praising health workers for their dedication, he urged the government to address the need for more physical health facilities to bridge the gap in rural access and the implementation of specific incentives for health professionals serving in remote and “hard-to-reach” areas to ensure retention and quality care.
As it stands, the Western North Region continues to wait for the spark needed to bring its vital vaccine storage facility to life.
By 1960news.com
