With the handing over of the refurbished children, female, and male wards last Friday, the association has brought a remarkable transformation to the deteriorating facility.

The extensive refurbishment involved painting, the installation of toilet bowls and the fixing of sinks, all of which significantly enhanced the appearance and functionality of the facility.

In addition to the renovation, the association also made a generous presentation of essential medical equipment, including beds, bedsheets, pillows, wheelchairs, Veronica buckets, stretchers, cups, water tanks, dustpans, stethoscopes, otoscope, pulse oximeters and screeners, among many other items, to the hospital.

The Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital was the main health facility serving Cape Coast before the now Cape Coast Teaching Hospital was built, and since then the hospital has suffered neglect.

Its closeness to the sea has also negatively impacted its infrastructure, as the salty corrosive sea breeze has eaten away parts of the infrastructure.  

Donkodo association

The Donkodo Association, which is made up of residents and associates from the small town of Donkodo, situated between Ayekoo Ayekoo and Savoy Hotel in Cape Coast, have, therefore, made a lasting impact on the facility through their gesture.

Though small, the association also includes natives of Cape Coast, individuals who came to study in the city from various regions, as well as friends.

The General Secretary of the association, Kweku Benard, said the total cost of the renovation, excluding workmanship and additional equipment from the contractor, amounted to GH¢450,000.

Mr Benard, who explained that the association identified a need in the community and took action, said that "the idea came out when we celebrated our second anniversary, and a concern was raised on what to do for Cape Coast."

Initially, the group planned to purchase equipment for the children's ward alone. However, upon visiting the hospital, he said they realised the worrying state of the entire facility and decided that renovation was also necessary.

Appeal

The Chairperson of the association, Christiana Adams, appealed to the hospital's management to take proper care of the equipment donated.

She expressed her concerns, stating that often, after such generous gestures, facility management failed to maintain the items, which discouraged future donors.

The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Kennedy Azantilow, thanked the association for the gesture.

The hospital's Nurse Manager, Caroline Agbodza, said the efforts of the association had brought about a drastic change, giving the hospital a fresh, welcoming environment.

"It is now a place where patients and staff can feel more comfortable, and where visitors can see the value of the community's dedication," she said.

She expressed gratitude on behalf of the management and staff of the hospital to the association.

Neglect

She explained that the facility had fallen into a state of neglect following the construction of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in 1997.

"This hospital used to be the regional hospital in the Central Region, but since the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital was built in 1997, all the people moved there. Since then, this hospital has been neglected," Agbodza lamented.

She pointed out that due to this, the hospital lacked basic equipment and storage space.

She said with a renewed sense of hope brought about by the gesture, staff of the facility would make the best use of the newly acquired equipment and maintain them properly.

Ms Agbodza also appealed to other organisations and associations to step forward and support the facility to return to its former state.

On behalf of Oguaamanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II the Nkosohen, Samuel Obiri Aduama, thanked the Donkodo Association for their overwhelming generosity.

He said that it was a time when people realised that the government alone could not do all, urging others to take inspiration from the past when community members often took it upon themselves to address the needs of their areas and support their communities.

He called on other associations in Cape Coast to follow in the footsteps of the Donkodo Family Association and contribute to the development of the city.