The St. Anne’s Catholic Hospital in Damongo, has commissioned a new solar power plant, a project hailed as a lifesaving intervention following a crippling power disconnection that endangered patients.
The commissioning ceremony, held on the hospital premises, brought together key development partners and diocesan leaders. Among them were Nadine Albrecht (Kindermissionswerk), Prof. Alfons Rinchede, Mr. Martin Wilde (Jacob-Christian-Adam Foundation), Nicolai Roerkohl, Mr. Aiden Ngmenbon (Diocesan Health Director), Very Rev. Fr. Sylvester Kuubetersuur (Diocesan Development Coordinator), and Very Rev. Fr. Martin Michael Muosayir.
In his welcome address, Diocesan Health Director Mr. Aiden Ngmenbon recalled the terrifying moment in 2023 when the Volta River Authority disconnected power to the entire hospital due to a mounting debt estimated at over four million Ghana cedis.
With senior leadership scattered abroad at the time and the standby generator unable to salvage the situation, the hospital was plunged into darkness.
“Even our standby generator could not be used… it was a very troubling situation,” Mr. Ngmenbon said. The blackout left critically ill patients vulnerable, and according to later testimonies, two children died while being rushed to Tamale because life-saving equipment could not operate.
The shocking incident triggered urgent communications among partners worldwide, eventually leading to the decision to create a sustainable and reliable alternative energy source for the hospital.
The newly commissioned solar plant is built to power almost the entire hospital. Designed with both daytime load and emergency needs in mind, it ensures:
• All heavy equipment runs on solar during the day
• Smooth transition to national grid in the night
• Automatic fallback to solar during outages
“This project is a standby alternative power supply… it can power the entire hospital,” Mr. Ngmenbon stated. He urged staff and community members to handle the system responsibly, emphasizing that the project cost millions of euros.
Because St. Anne’s Hospital serves as a referral center for the entire Savannah Region, the solar plant is expected to benefit thousands across multiple districts.
Representing the Bishop of Damongo, Rev. Fr. Martin thanked the development partners who “responded with passion to a situation of need.”
He recounted how devastating it was to lose patients simply because the hospital lacked electricity, noting that partners abroad were shocked that a facility dedicated to saving lives could be disconnected from the national grid.
“When a system that is supposed to support life cuts power from a hospital… they just couldn’t understand it,” he said.
He emphasized that the Church is not in competition with government but remains “the most reliable development partner,” committed to complementing national efforts in providing quality healthcare.
On behalf of the project partners, Prof. Alfons Rinchede explained the painstaking fundraising process that involved collecting “small, small donations” from many supporters.
The results, he said, are already visible:
• Previously, the hospital consumed 80,000 kWh per month
• Now consumption is slightly over 40,000 kWh
• The new solar installation provides 50% of the hospital’s total power needs.
He described the project as modular and scalable, with opportunities to expand in future years.
“When NEDCO switches off the grid, we now have power in critical departments. That is more important for this house,” Prof. Rinchede emphasized.
Speakers underscored that health crises affect everyone including clergy, public officials, local residents, and travelers alike. Stories shared included the account of a former Minister of Health whose life was saved at a nearby CHAG facility after suffering a diabetic and hypertension crisis on the road.
“This is our home,” Rev. Fr. Martin reminded the crowd. “If I drop here, it is here they will attend to me.”
He called on the community to put aside biases, support the facility, safeguard the new infrastructure, and continue working toward a future where both mission and government hospitals collaborate for the good of all.
The commissioning of the solar power plant marks not just an infrastructural upgrade but a symbol of renewed hope, resilience, and partnership.
For St. Anne’s Hospital, the lights are back on and here to stay.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
