Residents of Baifikrom-Samairia and several surrounding communities in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region have received a major boost in access to healthcare following the commissioning of a modern, fully furnished health centre, nurses’ quarters and a mechanised water supply facility.
The projects were commissioned and handed over on Friday, October 2, 2026, through a collaborative effort involving the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mfantseman Constituency, Hon. Dr. Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah, and the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, with support from the Government of Ghana’s District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
The intervention is expected to reduce the difficulties residents in Baifikrom-Samairia and nearby communities face in accessing basic healthcare, particularly pregnant women, children, the elderly and other residents who previously had to travel considerable distances to seek medical attention.
Modern Health Facility to Improve Access to Healthcare
The newly commissioned health centre has been equipped with facilities intended to support a range of essential healthcare services, including outpatient consultations, maternal and child healthcare, immunisation and emergency care.
The availability of the facility within the community is expected to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with travelling to health facilities in Mankessim, Saltpond, Anomabo and other parts of the municipality and beyond.
For residents, the project represents more than a new building; it brings essential healthcare services closer to communities that have historically faced challenges due to their distance from major health facilities.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Mfantseman MP, Hon. Dr. Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin, stressed the importance of bringing healthcare infrastructure closer to residents, particularly those living in underserved communities.
“This facility fills a critical gap in our local healthcare network. By bringing medical services directly to this area, we are saving critical travel time in emergency situations and improving access to healthcare across the municipality.”
Nurses’ Quarters to Support 24-Hour Healthcare Services
As part of the project, residential accommodation has also been provided for healthcare workers.
The nurses’ quarters are expected to make it easier for health personnel to remain within the community, particularly outside normal working hours. This could improve the facility’s capacity to respond to emergencies and provide timely care to residents.
Community members believe the provision of accommodation for health workers will be particularly important in emergency situations, when delays in accessing medical personnel can have serious consequences.
Mechanised Water Facility to Improve Hygiene
The healthcare intervention also includes a mechanised borehole and water storage system to provide a reliable source of clean water for the health centre.
The facility is expected to support essential activities such as handwashing, sanitation, cleaning, clinical procedures and other healthcare-related needs.
The availability of a dependable water supply is also expected to strengthen hygiene and sanitation at the health centre and create a safer environment for both patients and healthcare workers.
The project therefore addresses two critical community needs simultaneously—access to healthcare and reliable water supply.
Residents Previously Travelled Long Distances for Healthcare
Residents said they had faced significant logistical challenges when seeking basic medical attention, with some patients having to travel long distances over difficult and, in some cases, poor road networks to access healthcare services.
Pregnant women, children and elderly residents were among those particularly affected by the situation.
Some residents had to travel to health facilities in Mankessim, Saltpond, Anomabo and even Cape Coast, depending on the nature of the medical condition and services required.
They welcomed the commissioning of the new facility, describing it as a timely intervention that would reduce the burden associated with accessing healthcare.
Residents also expressed appreciation to the Mfantseman MP, Hon. Dr. Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin, and the MCE, Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah, for supporting the project.
Nananom Pledge Support for Health Centre
Traditional leaders, known locally as Nananom, also welcomed the project and pledged their support towards the effective operation and maintenance of the community health centre.
The traditional authorities called on residents to take ownership of the facility and ensure that the infrastructure is properly maintained for the benefit of current and future generations.
They also encouraged the community to strengthen local maintenance arrangements and support efforts to keep the health centre and its surroundings clean.
The traditional leaders also appealed to the relevant authorities to ensure that the ultra-modern health centre is properly fenced to enhance security, protect the facility and its equipment, and provide a safe and conducive environment for patients, healthcare workers and visitors.
They stressed that fencing the facility would also help safeguard the health centre against encroachment and other activities that could compromise its operations and long-term sustainability
Poor Road Network Remains Major Concern
Despite the excitement surrounding the new health facility, residents and traditional leaders raised concerns about the poor and deteriorating road network serving the beneficiary communities.
According to them, the dusty and degraded roads could undermine the benefits of the new health centre, particularly during emergencies and the rainy season.
They therefore appealed to the MCE and the Mfantseman MP to fulfil commitments towards improving the road network in the area.
The residents argued that better roads would complement the investment in healthcare by making it easier for patients, health workers and emergency vehicles to access the facility.
MCE Reaffirms Commitment to Healthcare and Sanitation
The Mfantseman MCE, Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah, reaffirmed the Municipal Assembly’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, sanitation and access to essential services across the municipality.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that development projects respond to the actual needs of communities while contributing to broader efforts to improve living conditions.
The new health centre, nurses’ quarters and mechanised water facility form part of efforts to bring essential social infrastructure closer to residents and improve access to basic services.
Community Calls for Sustained Support
With the facility now commissioned, residents and traditional leaders are calling for sustained support to ensure that the health centre remains adequately equipped and properly maintained.
They also appealed for the timely provision of medical supplies and the continued deployment of qualified health personnel to enable the facility to operate effectively.
For Baifikrom-Samairia and neighbouring communities, the commissioning marks an important step towards reducing healthcare access barriers and improving the quality of essential services available to residents.
However, residents maintain that the improvement of the surrounding road network remains crucial to fully unlocking the benefits of the new health facility.
The community has therefore called on the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, the MP and other relevant authorities to treat the road situation as a matter of urgency.
