The MTN Ghana Foundation has commissioned and handed over a newly constructed Accident and Emergency (A&E) Block valued at more than GH¢15 million to the Ho Teaching Hospital, significantly boosting emergency healthcare delivery in the Volta Region and neighbouring areas.
The project, funded by the Foundation—the corporate social responsibility arm of MTN Ghana and MobileMoney Limited (MML)—is designed to enhance the hospital’s ability to respond to trauma and other critical medical cases.
Construction of the facility began in June 2024 as part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the country.
The ultra-modern block is equipped with specialised medical equipment including patient monitors, infusion pumps, hospital beds and an elevator to facilitate efficient movement of patients and medical staff.
Health authorities say the facility will help reduce the number of emergency referrals to hospitals outside the region and improve outcomes for thousands of residents across the Volta and Oti regions.
The commissioning ceremony brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, academia, traditional authorities and other stakeholders who described the project as a transformative intervention for healthcare delivery in the region.
MTN reiterates commitment to improving lives
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Madam Adwoa Wiafe, said the project reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving lives through strategic investments in healthcare, education and economic empowerment.
She emphasised that emergency departments play a critical role in healthcare delivery, describing them as the “front door of every hospital”, where the speed and quality of care often determine whether a patient survives.
According to her, the MTN Ghana Foundation’s interventions across the country are inspired by the belief that every life saved is invaluable.
“Health is life. It is not a privilege but a right, and it is not a gift but a shared responsibility,” she said.
Madam Wiafe recalled that the Foundation made a commitment in June 2024 to support the hospital with a modern emergency centre and had now fulfilled that promise.
While the project cost more than GH¢15 million, she noted that its real value lies in the lives it will help save.
She explained that the facility was constructed to international standards with sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity at its core to ensure that quality emergency care is available to all.
Beyond the infrastructure, the facility has been equipped with modern medical equipment to empower health professionals to respond effectively during life-threatening emergencies.
Madam Wiafe added that the centre would help ease congestion at the hospital, improve patient flow and strengthen referral systems within the region.
She assured that the Foundation would continue to partner health institutions across Ghana and plans to construct another health facility and supply modern diagnostic equipment to selected hospitals later this year.
Govt praises private sector support
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, described the project as a monumental act of corporate philanthropy that aligns with government’s broader efforts to strengthen the health sector.
He linked the intervention to the government’s health sector reforms outlined in the President’s State of the Nation Address, which emphasised strengthening infrastructure, technology and healthcare services.
Mr Gunu said the new facility was more than just a physical structure.
“This facility is more than a building; it is a lifeline. It supports the government’s agenda of building prosperity and restoring hope by strengthening our health infrastructure and improving emergency response,” he said.
He noted that the project demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships in transforming healthcare delivery and urged the hospital’s management to ensure proper maintenance and effective utilisation of the facility.
The Regional Minister also encouraged other corporate institutions to support healthcare development in the region to complement government’s efforts.
Hospital board welcomes milestone
Chairman of the hospital’s Governing Board, Dr Delanyo Tsidi Dovlo, described the commissioning as a significant milestone for healthcare delivery in the Volta and Oti regions.
He explained that emergency care serves as a critical indicator of the strength of a health system and that expanding the A&E unit would greatly improve the hospital’s ability to respond effectively during emergencies.
Dr Dovlo assured that the hospital’s Board would ensure the facility is properly managed and maintained to deliver quality healthcare services.
He stressed that while infrastructure is essential, it must be supported by a strong culture of safety, teamwork, accountability and compassion among health professionals.
Improved readiness for emergencies
Chief Executive Officer of the Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr Hintermann Mbroh, expressed appreciation to the MTN Ghana Foundation for the support.
He said the expanded A&E department would significantly improve the hospital’s ability to manage trauma cases and other emergency situations.
According to him, in cases of sudden illness or severe injury, the speed and effectiveness of medical response often determine survival.
The new facility, he noted, strengthens the hospital’s readiness to respond to such critical situations.
Dr Mbroh added that the hospital remains committed to combining modern infrastructure with a strong culture of safety, accountability, teamwork and compassion to deliver quality healthcare.
He assured the Foundation and the public that the facility would be used effectively to provide the highest standards of care.
Support for medical training and specialist care
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Professor Lydia Aziato, also praised the initiative, noting that it would significantly support clinical training and specialist education.
She explained that the Ho Teaching Hospital serves as the main training centre for students of the university and plays a critical role in preparing future healthcare professionals.
Professor Aziato said the new facility would help the hospital meet the expectations of a teaching institution as it expands training programmes and specialist services.
However, she pointed out that although the hospital has been upgraded to a teaching facility, several specialised services are still lacking.
She therefore called for additional investments in areas such as maternal and child health services and a cardiac centre to support specialist training and reduce the need for patient referrals to Accra.
Strengthening specialist services in Ho, she added, would not only improve healthcare delivery in the region but also support the training of the next generation of medical professionals.
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MTN Foundation’s growing impact
Over the past three decades, the MTN Ghana Foundation has implemented more than 55 health projects across the country, including the construction of intensive care units, maternity blocks, emergency centres and the provision of critical medical equipment.
The commissioning of the new A&E block forms part of activities marking 30 years of MTN’s operations in Ghana.
Traditional leaders, hospital management and staff, as well as other stakeholders attended the ceremony and commended the initiative as a major step toward strengthening healthcare delivery in the region.
Health officials believe the new facility will enable the Ho Teaching Hospital to provide faster and more efficient emergency care, improve survival rates and reduce the need for referrals outside the region.