By Gogu Edwin
On 28th of May, 2025, Kalba community in the Savannah Region of Ghana was filled with joy and hope as residents, traditional leaders, clergy, health professionals, and partners gathered for a historic sod-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of the transformation of the St. Joseph Health Centre into a fully-fledged hospital.
The ceremony, led by the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Damongo, Very Rev. Fr. Martin Muosayir, heralds a major milestone in healthcare delivery for the people of Kalba and its neighboring communities.
In his keynote address, Fr. Muosayir traced the humble beginnings of the St. Joseph Health Centre, which was established in 1982 to meet the basic health needs of the local population. He acknowledged the pioneering missionaries, especially Fr. Bernard Hagen, for their vision and commitment to the well-being of the community. “This milestone is a testament to our collective faith, commitment, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of the good people of Kalba and its environs,” he declared.
The Vicar General emphasized that the upgrading of the health centre into a hospital is not only a Church initiative but a communal undertaking. He highlighted the crucial role of partnerships, acknowledging the generous contribution of over seven million Ghana cedis from the Italian Bishops Conference, along with ongoing collaboration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the Ghana Health Service.
“We look forward to a full-blown St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, specialized in child and maternal health. The project will be implemented in three phases, with completion targeted for 2028,” Fr. Muosayir noted, detailing plans for new maternity and theatre blocks, staff bungalows, wards, equipment, and an ambulance, which has already been procured.
Fr. Sylvester Kuubetersour, Diocesan Development Coordinator, explained the purpose of the event, underscoring the Church’s commitment to holistic human development. “This hospital will serve as a beacon of hope… offering essential medical services in an area where access to healthcare remains limited,” he stated. He also stressed that the Diocese regards healthcare as a fundamental human right, aligning with Catholic Social Teaching and the words of late Pope Francis: “Health is not a luxury; it is for everyone.”
The Kalbawura, Chief Amalia Saaka, in a heartfelt message, expressed deep gratitude to the Diocese for responding to his earlier plea. “I once asked the Bishop to bring me a doctor, but today he has brought a whole hospital that will bring many doctors to care for the entire community,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. The chief pledged his full support to the project and called on his people to embrace it with unity and enthusiasm.
The event also featured the voices of joyful community members who couldn’t hide their excitement.
A resident, Issah Fuseini, a farmer, shared similar sentiments: “This is a blessing to our land. The fact that it will also serve people from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast makes us proud. We will support this project in any way we can.”
The sod-cutting ceremony concluded with a symbolic handing over of the site to contractors, marking the official start of construction. The facility, once completed, will provide accessible, quality, and specialized healthcare services in child and maternal health, offering renewed hope and life-saving support to generations in Kalba and beyond.
