By Gogu Edwin
Just weeks after the sod-cutting ceremony for the upgrade of the St. Joseph Health Centre into a fully-fledged hospital in Kalba, the Catholic Diocese of Damongo has fulfilled its promise by officially handing over a fully-equipped ambulance to the facility on June 13, 2025. The donation, funded by the Italian Bishops Conference, marks a crucial step toward improving emergency healthcare services in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District.
The Diocesan Development Coordinator, Fr. Sylvester Kuubetersuur, who first announced the procurement of the ambulance during the sod-cutting event on May 28, 2025, described the transformation of the health centre and the addition of the ambulance as “a revolutionary milestone for healthcare delivery and economic empowerment in the district.”
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Catholic Bishop of Damongo Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier thanked the Italian Bishops Conference for their generous support and emphasized the need for responsible use and maintenance. “This ambulance must serve its purpose, saving lives with dignity and in the fear and love of God,” he said. He cautioned both the facility in-charge and the driver to take good care of the vehicle and preserve it as a sacred tool for saving human life.
The Diocesan Development Coordinator, Fr. Sylvester Kuubetersour expressed joy that the ambulance had finally arrived after minor technical delays involving the siren’s lighting system. “In Kalba, I told them the ambulance was on its way. Although it was delayed due to a fault with the flashing lights, we worked tirelessly, sourced a new switch from Kumasi, and today, by the grace of God, it is here, ”He said.
“The inclusion of advanced systems makes this ambulance one of the most reliable in our region. It is a mobile unit capable of supporting critical care in the facility,” Fr. Kuubetersour emphasized.
He stressed that while the ambulance will be based at Kalba, it may be deployed to other facilities if needed. “It belongs to the people. If Sawla or Tuna has an emergency and Kalba can support, the ambulance should be made available,”
Mr. Aiden Ngmenbon, Diocesan Health Director, highlighted the importance of a strong maintenance culture and the need for community participation in sustaining the service. “The ambulance is not for profit. However, for sustainability, we will implement moderate user charges, to cover fuel, servicing, and minor repairs,” he said.
He further called for collaboration with the National Ambulance Service and appealed to all stakeholders, traditional authorities, assembly members, the youth, and community leaders to support the initiative and view it as a collective asset.
The availability of the ambulance is expected to significantly improve the district’s health performance indicators, especially in the area of emergency referrals. “In the past, delays in referrals often resulted in loss of life, particularly among pregnant women and newborns. With this vehicle, such incidents will reduce,” Mr. Ngmenbon affirmed.
As the hospital upgrade project takes shape and the ambulance becomes operational, residents of Kalba and its surrounding communities can now look forward to improved access to lifesaving care, thanks to a shared vision, unwavering commitment, and a firm belief in the dignity of every human life.
