Ghanaian Hospital Receives Supplies and Equipment from The Church

After seventy years of providing life-saving services to the citizens of Ghana throughout the country, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana is getting its own life-saving help. In conjunction with other organizations who have fulfilled their role in the "Heal Komfo Anokye Project” (HeKAP), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributed by donating critical supplies and equipment that were handed over in a ceremony celebrated on 17 October, 2025.

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Built in 1955, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is the second largest hospital in Ghana and is the only tertiary hospital in the country (a specialized medical facility that provides the highest level of complex care and advanced medical procedures). With a bed capacity of 1,200, it has served the population of Ghana continually with life-saving services ranging from cardiology to neurosurgery to neonatal intensive care and much more. However, the ravages of time and an ever-growing population have seriously strained the hospital's ability to deliver quality healthcare services. The hospital's original blocks have never been comprehensively renovated since they opened their doors, and the aging conditions of the buildings had become quite worrisome.  Furthermore, as technology marched forward, the resources of the hospital lagged behind. Over 70 years, then, the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff of KATH have been working in conditions that have been slowly deteriorating around them as equipment became obsolete.

The Asantehene [King] of the Ashanti region of Ghana, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, recognized the critical need for saving and preserving the integrity of this great institution. Leading the charge to resuscitate the hospital, he assembled and empowered the HeKAP team to identify, among other things, organizations that would be willing to help in the project.  The HeKAP team reached out to The Church with a request to join in the historic campaign to rescue the hospital, to which The Church eagerly agreed. For its part, then, The Church provided the hospital with cardiac tables, patient monitors, hydraulic patient stretchers, electronic hospital beds, wheelchairs, medicine trolleys, and more.

In the opening of the handover ceremony, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, the CEO of the hospital, gratefully acknowledged the generous donation of The Church. He noted that without the participation of the Church in the project, these items would have to have come from internal resources which did not exist.  The Regional Director of Health Services of Ghana also expressed his gratitude, saying that "the gesture that we are here to celebrate will go a long way to keeping the quality of services that we so desire."

Members of the Africa West Area Presidency were present for the momentous occasion, including Elder Alfred Kyungu, President of the Africa West Area and the presiding authority at the handover, along with his wife, Lucie; and Elder Isaac K. Morrison, Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, with his wife, Hannah. Elder Kyungu briefly addressed the audience to reassure the audience that, as children of God, we are all brothers and sisters, and that the motivation for participating in such humanitarian events is simply that "We are just trying to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ." 

Elder Morrison then addressed the audience telling the hospital administrators and guests who were present: "This hospital is more than just a health care facility. It is a beacon of hope for millions across Ghana and even West Africa. When such a vital institution seeks help, it is more than a mere request. It is a moral deed. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are bound by our covenants and our conscience to answer our call."

After enumerating the items being donated, he continued, saying: "These items are not merely tools. They are instruments of healing, symbols of our solidarity and expression of God's love for his children. At the core of our faith is the eternal truth that every person is a beloved child of God. Each life is so precious. . . Every item donated has a purpose, a reflection of our obedience to God's commandments. Our church cares profoundly about loving God and loving our neighbors and saving lives because we are all children of a loving father in heaven."

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Following Elder Morrison's remarks, the Group Chief Nursing Officer of the hospital, Sarah Baaba Bruce-Smith offered a statement of gratitude on behalf of all administrators, staff, and patients, concluding with the simple but heartfelt expression, "God richly bless you. We are so grateful." The audience and dignitaries then moved to a rooftop storage area where the donated items were being held, and with a handshake, the Church then formally turned over the equipment to the joyful hospital staff who committed to continue serving the people of West Africa through the donation provide by the Church.

Humanitarian work such as the donation to KATH is a practical way to emulate Christ's character and compassion. The life of Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of selfless service and healing, and members are encouraged to follow His example by "going about doing good" (Acts 10:38). Thus, the Church's engagement in these endeavors is an expression of its commitment to follow the Savior.