RCAA Commissions New Consulting Facility for GICG at Korle Bu

The Rotary Club of Accra–Airport has commissioned a newly furnished five-consulting-room facility for the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics (GICG) at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, marking a significant boost to specialist care for patients living with sickle cell disease and other genetic conditions.

The project comprises five fully equipped consulting rooms and a washroom and was initiated to support the Institute following the renovation of its male and female wards. Management of GICG identified the need for expanded office and consultation space to improve workflow efficiency, reduce patient waiting times, and enhance the quality of care delivered to a growing patient population.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Past District Governor, Rotarian David Osei Amankwa, reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to selfless service, stating, “At Rotary, we will do things for people we will never know and people we will never meet.” He noted that the Rotary Club of Accra–Airport has remained committed to improving lives and supporting institutions that contribute to national development for over 25 years. He added that the project was undertaken in partnership with Margins ID Group, an organization with more than 35 years of service.

President of the Rotary Club of Accra–Airport, Rotarian Kojo Nunoo, emphasized that service to society remains a core mandate of Rotary, which has a global membership of about two million. He disclosed that the project cost exceeded five hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GHS 500,000), underscoring the Club’s sustained investment in healthcare delivery.

District Governor, Rotarian Nana Yaa Siriboe, commended the club for its outstanding work, noting that the care of sickle cell patients is both demanding and continuous. She highlighted the critical role played by the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, applauding the Rotary Club of Accra–Airport for living up to Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” and thanking the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for embracing the partnership.

Globally, an estimated 7.7 million people live with sickle cell disease, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest burden. In Ghana alone, approximately 15,000 babies are born each year with the condition, many of whom rely on the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics for lifelong care. The addition of five new consulting rooms is expected to significantly increase daily patient throughput, reduce congestion, and enable multidisciplinary teams to offer more coordinated and timely care.

The Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary Club, describing the facility as a vision fulfilled. “It looked like a dream, and now the dream has come true,” he said, noting that the commissioning represents a major milestone in expanding healthcare infrastructure for both patients and staff at GICG.

Dr. Adam further stated that the partnership with the Rotary Club has yielded several impactful interventions across the hospital, benefiting multiple departments, including the maternity block, the children’s department, and other clinical units. He expressed optimism for continued collaboration in advancing patient care and institutional capacity.

The symbolic key to the facility was formally handed over by the President of the Rotary Club of Accra–Airport to the Director of the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, Dr. Amma Benneh-Akwasi Kuma, after which a commemorative plaque was unveiled.

In her remarks, Dr. Benneh-Akwasi Kuma expressed profound appreciation to the Rotary Club of Accra–Airport and all stakeholders who contributed to the project. She described the facility as a significant milestone and “an expansion of hope” for patients, particularly those living with sickle cell disease. She explained that the additional consulting rooms will help shorten waiting times, improve efficiency among multidisciplinary teams, strengthen compassionate care delivery, and enhance the Institute’s capacity for research and training.

Dr. Benneh-Akwasi Kuma paid special tribute to the Rotary Club for its life-saving interventions over the years and pledged to uphold its legacy of compassion for future generations. She also acknowledged the architects, the highest fundraiser for the project, Mr. Caradoc Mills Lamptey (AG Cara), and all individuals whose contributions ensured the successful completion of the project.