In-Service Training and Conference Facility to be commissioned soon

The front view of the In-Service Training and Conference Centre

An ultra-modern In- Service Training and Conference Centre has been completed by the Upper East Regional Health Directorate at an estimated cost of GHc 520,000. The multi-purpose edifice which is yet to be commissioned has under its roof a modern library, an ICT facility, a canteen as well as a meeting hall and a conference centre capable of seating a hundred and eighty people. The centre which is well structured can also boast of a standby generator and a spacious car park among other functional equipment. In an exclusive interview with Radio Ghana in Bolgatanga, the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Koku-Awoonor-Williams who is the brain behind the facility said the considering the chronic shortage of human resource to man the various health facilities in the region, his outfit came out with a well branded initiative to surmount the challenge. The idea was to enhance the training of health professionals including interns and other medical specialists. He said apart from the training, health workers, will on regular basis use the facility to hold meetings. Dr Awoonor was however grateful to its partners and collaborators particularly, World Vision Ghana (WV) for the financial support put in to making the project a reality. He again showed gratitude to all the health facilities in the region for contributing GHc10, 000 each to support the project. The District Health Management Team DHMT was not left out of the success story since each contributed GHc 5,000. Key personalities in government and the Ghana Health Service GHS were also acknowledged for their role in ensuring the successful completion of the project. Among them are the former Director General of the GHS, Dr Elias Sory, Dr Benjamin Kumbour, Mr.  Joseph Yile Chireh and Mr.  Alban S.K Bagbin, who was instrumental in the release of funds for the furnishing of the centre.  Dr Awoonor-Williams later told Radio Ghana that plans are afoot to provide an electricity transformer to boost power generation. Additionally, an accommodation facility backed by a summer hut will also be provided to complement hosting services. He said similar training services would be decentralised and replicated at the district level and called on staff to exercise restraint whilst management takes steps to better their working conditions. He was hopeful that with the facility in place the problem of human resource deficit will improve for the better. Dr Awoonor-Williams reminded staff of the region to work together and explore all aspect of health care delivery to achieve better outcomes. The new edifice which began in 2010 is being constructed by the regional Architectural Engineering Services Limited (AESL).

GBC                                                        END                                                                IA/