Residents of Dawhenya North in the Greater Accra Region have received a major boost in access to healthcare following the commissioning of a newly reconstructed and fully equipped Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Centre, courtesy of Ecobank Ghana’s Employee Volunteerism Project.
The project, valued at approximately GH₵500,000, was executed under the bank’s flagship “Mega Project” initiative, which has been running for three years and focuses on improving maternal and child healthcare.
The refurbished facility is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in Dawhenya and its surrounding communities, particularly in maternal and child health services.
Commitment to Health and Community Development
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Ecobank’s Executive Director and Regional Head of Consumer Banking, Mr. Tara Squire, said the bank views the project as more than just an act of corporate philanthropy.
“We are planting the seeds of a healthier future for mothers and children in Dawhenya and its surrounding communities,” Mr. Squire remarked.
He expressed gratitude to the management of the CHPS Centre for their cooperation and also acknowledged Asafoatse Gyebi II, who released an additional parcel of land for the expansion of the facility.
He stressed that Ecobank’s commitment to community development is rooted in its corporate ethos, describing the Employee Volunteerism Project as “a testament to the enormous voluntary participation of staff and the bank’s resolve to match those contributions to create sustainable impact.”
Financial inclusion campaign launched
Beyond the commissioning of the health centre, the event also featured the launch of a week-long financial inclusion campaign spearheaded by Ecobank.
The initiative is specifically targeted at mothers attending antenatal and postnatal care sessions, encouraging them to open savings accounts and secure their families’ future.
Mr. Squire explained that the campaign is designed to provide simple banking services and financial tools to residents, enabling them to take the first steps toward financial inclusion and long-term financial independence.
Employees at the heart of the project
Mr. Squire noted that the uniqueness of the Employee Volunteerism Project lies in the personal involvement of Ecobank’s staff. More than 1,500 employees across Ghana voluntarily contribute to the project, and the bank matches these contributions to maximise their impact.
“Each year, our employees make generous contributions to support institutions in underserved regions, and we, as a bank, complement these donations. The enormous voluntary participation of staff in this initiative is a testament to our shared commitment to community development,” he said.
This year’s “Mega Project” event at the Dawhenya North CHPS Centre marks the 3rd edition of the Ecobank Employee Volunteerism initiative.
Ecobank undertook several such projects at the Weija Leprosarium, Church of Pentecost Hospital at Madina, Suntreso Hospital in Kumasi, Sekondi Prisons, and Potter’s Village orphanage at Dodowa in 2023. Similar support was also extended to the Adabraka Polyclinic (Antenatal/Postnatal Clinics), Tema Health Centre, the maternity unit of Abesim Hospital in Sunyani, the mother and child unit of Abokobi Health Centre, and the maternity block at the Takoradi Hospital in 2024.
A legacy of community support
For over three decades, Ecobank has supported communities across Ghana through a wide range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
From donations to community projects, the bank has positioned itself as a partner in social development.
Mr. Squire reaffirmed this legacy, stressing that the bank’s goal is to uplift lives, especially those of women and children.
“As we like to say, ‘One facility at a time, one community at a time’—this is how we demonstrate our unwavering dedication to community development,” he said.
He added that the commissioning of the Dawhenya facility is proof of Ecobank’s enduring commitment to transforming lives and providing sustainable support to underserved populations.
Chiefs and people express gratitude
The commissioning event was also attended by traditional leaders, health officials, and community members, including the Assemblyman.
Nene Tetteh Kodie Arden IV, Chief of Dawhenya, expressed the community’s appreciation to Ecobank for what he described as a life-changing intervention. He pledged that the people of Dawhenya would protect and maintain the facility to ensure it serves both the community and neighbouring towns for generations.
“This project will not only save lives but also bring comfort and security to our mothers and children. We are grateful to Ecobank and its staff for this noble gesture,” the chief said.
A hopeful future
With the facility now open, residents of Dawhenya North and surrounding communities will have improved access to essential healthcare services.
For Ecobank, the project underscores its resolve to go beyond banking, leveraging both its resources and the goodwill of its employees to invest in the health and well-being of Ghanaians.
As Mr. Squire put it, “We have invested approximately GH₵500,000 to reconstruct and equip this facility. It is our fervent hope that the management and staff will put it to good use and ensure that the people derive maximum benefit from it.”
The commissioning of the Dawhenya CHPS Centre marks another milestone in Ecobank’s journey of community development—demonstrating how corporate institutions can make meaningful contributions to national development, one community at a time.
