Church of Jesus Christ Donates Medical Equipment to Three Health Centers in Takoradi, Ghana

On 7 September 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated much needed medical equipment to three health facilities in the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA), Takoradi Ghana.  Health centers in the villages of Effia, Apremdo, and Adeintem received equipment and supplies that included fetal heart sound monitors, ultrasound scanning machines, and computers. The initial request for these items came from the Municipal Health Director of EKMA, Joyce Sutherland, who recognized the need for this equipment to provide adequate health care, specifically prenatal care, to the local community. 

A ceremony to celebrate the donations was held at the Effia Health Center.  Local leaders from throughout the municipality joined with Church and traditional leaders to witness the presentation of the supplies and equipment. Representing the Church was President Justice Odro Mensah of the Takoradi Ghana Stake, and President Christopher Morgan and Sister Christine Morgan, Mission Leaders in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission. 

President Morgan shared that, “Having worked in healthcare for over 30 years, I understand how beneficial this equipment will be for the patients that you care for and for your staff who provides this care.”  He added that, “I know that this equipment will help you improve the health of the members of your communities. I also encourage you to focus on ways to improve the spiritual health of your communities. As we have come to learn, strong faithful families make strong faithful communities which in turn makes strong and faithful countries. We pray you will continue to serve one another as needed.”

President Mensah made the presentation of the donation on behalf of the Church. “We are happy to follow the Saviors’ example by caring for our neighbors,” he said. “We ask that you respect this donation by properly maintaining this equipment so that it will benefit our community members for years to come.”

Representing the member of parliament for the EKMA was Assemblyperson Philip Evans Nyarko.  He called on the nurses at the health facilities to follow the Church’s example of selfless giving. “We need to provide unconditional service to the local community members and take good care of them and this equipment.”

Also attending the ceremony was the Municipal Chief Executive of the EKMA, the Honorable Kojo Acquah.  He expressed his gratitude to the Church and promised to follow up to ensure that the equipment was put to good use.  “Coming to the aid of these health centers with this much needed equipment shows true love for your fellow man.  This is what religion should be about,” he said.

Takoradi is in the Western Region of Ghana and is one of the birthplaces of the Church in West Africa. In December of 1978, 124 individuals were baptized and the first branch in Takoradi was created.