Residents of Atwima Asamang in the Atwima Mponua District of Ghana’s Ashanti Region are expressing deep frustration over a Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound that has remained unused for more than ten years. The facility, originally intended to provide essential healthcare services to the local population, stands unfinished and idle, symbolizing unfulfilled promises and stalled development.
The CHPS compound was meant to serve as a local health centre, reducing the need for residents—especially women, children, and the elderly—to travel long distances for basic medical care. However, years after construction began, the building remains incomplete and deteriorating, leaving the community without a vital healthcare facility. Residents describe the abandoned structure as an eyesore and a constant reminder of neglected commitments.
One community member lamented, “We were promised a health centre here, but after the initial work stopped, nothing has been done. We still have to travel miles to access even basic health services.” The delay has placed an additional burden on families, both financially and in terms of time, and has heightened health risks in the area.
When approached, district health officials attributed the delay to funding shortages, lack of equipment, and insufficient staffing. They acknowledged that partial construction without completion has stalled the full commissioning of the facility. Nevertheless, these explanations have done little to assuage local frustration, given the extended period of neglect.
This situation highlights broader challenges in Ghana’s rural health infrastructure development. Projects that are initiated but left unfinished not only waste resources but also erode public trust. Experts point to the need for stronger project management, transparent allocation of funds, and timely execution to ensure communities benefit from government investments.
Residents of Atwima Asamang are now calling on the Ministry of Health, the district assembly, and the Ghana Health Service to prioritize the completion of the CHPS compound. They urge authorities to allocate necessary resources, recruit staff, and officially commission the facility so it can begin providing the intended healthcare services.
For the local community, the abandoned CHPS compound is more than just an incomplete building—it represents a decade of unmet healthcare needs. Completing the project is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring accessible, reliable, and timely medical care for the people of Atwima Asamang.
Source: Thepressradio.com
