Residents Call for Urgent Action as Private Fence Walls Block Road to SDA Hospital in New Gbawe CP

 

Residents of New Gbawe in the Weija Gbawe Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are calling on the government and relevant authorities to take immediate action as two individuals have reportedly built fence walls that have blocked the main road leading to the SDA Hospital.

The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital is a well-established missionary hospital serving the people of Ghana. It is the second-largest hospital in the Weija Gbawe Municipality and provides critical healthcare services to nearby communities such as Ablekuma, Odorkor, Awoshie, Dansoman, and beyond. However, access to this vital healthcare facility has become increasingly difficult due to the blockage caused by these private fence walls.

Apart from the obstruction caused by the fence walls, the poor condition of the road leading to the hospital is another major challenge. According to residents, the road becomes extremely muddy during the rainy season and dusty during the dry season, making it difficult for ambulances and patients to reach the hospital.

In an interview with Bernard Ofori Anning who is the administrator of the hospital by Mr. Woode blogger and content creator revealed that the hospital management had reported the issue to the Weija Gbawe Municipal Assembly several times, but no action had been taken.

He also disclosed that the hospital had contacted former Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe, Tina Ayele Mensah, and former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), the late Patrick Kwasi Barko Kumor, regarding the matter, but no concrete steps were taken to resolve the issue.

Currently, the road leading to the hospital is a single-lane route, meaning that when one vehicle is heading towards the hospital and another is leaving, one must stop for the other to pass. This situation creates serious delays in medical emergencies, as ambulances and private vehicles struggle to navigate the narrow path.

Ironically, when the late MCE Patrick Kwasi Barko Kumor fell ill, the SDA Hospital was the first facility he was rushed to, highlighting the hospital’s importance to the community.

In an interview with Panyin Atta Ayensu who is the Assembly Member for the area, stated that this was the first time he was being made aware of the issue regarding the fence walls blocking the road. He assured the public that he would engage the district engineer to use legal means to remove the walls and restore access to the hospital.

He also mentioned that he would push for the road to be expanded into a dual-carriageway and properly constructed to ensure smooth access to healthcare services.

With the ongoing challenges, residents, hospital staff, and concerned citizens are appealing to the government, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, and other stakeholders to intervene. They are calling for:
• Immediate demolition of the fence walls blocking the road.
• Upgrading of the road to a dual-carriageway to prevent congestion.
• Proper tarring and maintenance of the road to ensure all-weather accessibility.

The SDA Hospital remains a crucial healthcare facility in the Weija Gbawe Municipality and the authorities must act swiftly to ensure easy and safe access for all.