The historic coastal enclave of Ga Mashie came alive last Saturday as residents gathered early at the forecourt of the Ga Mashie Development Agency (GAMADA), drawn by an initiative that promised more than routine medical checks. By midmorning, the space had transformed into a bustling open air health centre, as the Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF), in partnership with the Rotary Club of Accra Premier International, Alma Medical Laboratory, Jibu Ghana Water, GAMADA and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), rolled out a comprehensive preventive health and sanitation outreach for the community.
From the arrival of residents to the orderly registration process and the steady flow of screenings and counseling, the event unfolded with a sense of purpose and coordination. Under the leadership of Mr Peter Asiedu, Executive Director of the Nurture Nature Foundation, volunteers and health professionals worked side by side to deliver free medical screenings, health education and sanitation guidance to residents of Jamestown and its surrounding neighbourhoods.
Beyond diagnosis
Addressing journalists at the venue, Mr Asiedu explained that the exercise was designed to go beyond diagnosis. “It is about more than testing for disease,” he said. “It is about giving people the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health. Ga Mashie is the heartbeat of Ghana. When this community is strong, healthy and empowered, it sustains the entire nation.”
The choice of Ga Mashie was deliberate. Mr Asiedu described the community as a living symbol of Ghana’s cultural and historical identity, noting that its wellbeing has national significance. “Ga Mashie is the lighthouse of Ghana, the pulse of our culture and heritage,” he said. “It is not just a community. Our goal is to begin here and build a model of preventive healthcare, sanitation and empowerment that can be replicated across the country.”
The outreach
The outreach formed part of NNF’s evolving Health Spin Movement for Women and Young Adults, which began in October with a breast cancer screening exercise that reached more than 400 women, many of whom had never undergone screening before. Encouraged by the impact of that initiative, the Foundation expanded the scope of the programme to include men, women and young people, promoting a more inclusive approach to preventive healthcare.
“Health is for everyone,” Mr Asiedu stressed. “Men often delay seeking care. By opening the doors to all, we encourage families and the entire community to participate in preventive health.”
As the day progressed, residents moved through various screening points, receiving basic check ups, counseling and health advice tailored to their needs. Although specific tests were not publicly itemised, participants were informed that results would guide follow up care and lifestyle adjustments where necessary.
Angelina Worla Ukwuije, lead scientist from Alma Medical Laboratory, underscored the importance of education alongside screening. “Screening is just the first step,” she said. “Our aim is to provide information, guidance and support that empowers residents to make healthier lifestyle choices and prevent disease.”
That message was echoed by Mr Asiedu, who reminded participants that long term impact depends on sustained awareness and behavioural change. “Health screening alone is not enough,” he said. “It is education, counseling and follow up that create real and lasting change.”
Appreciation
Beyond medical checks, sanitation emerged as a central theme of the outreach. Dr Alfred Kwanchie Dodoo, Executive Director of GAMADA, expressed appreciation to the Nurture Nature Foundation and its partners for consistently working to bridge health gaps within the Ga Mashie jurisdiction. He called for continued collaboration to ensure sustained improvements in health outcomes and sanitation practices across the community.
Adding a strong sanitation message, Numo Kofi Okassa Diaka II, Executive Officer at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and liaison officer at GAMADA, addressed residents directly, urging them to abandon unsafe waste disposal practices. He warned that defecating into polythene bags and dumping them into drains contributes to blocked waterways, pollution of the sea and the spread of disease.
“Poor sanitation undermines every effort to improve living conditions in communities like Jamestown,” he said, calling for collective responsibility to protect public health and preserve the coastal environment.
Clean water, sanitation and health
The presence of Jibu Ghana Water reinforced the link between clean water, sanitation and health. The company supplied safe drinking water to participants throughout the day while educating residents on the importance of access to clean water as a foundation for healthy living.
By the afternoon, participants were leaving with more than test results. They carried practical health advice, fresh insights into sanitation practices and a renewed sense of responsibility for their own wellbeing and that of their community.
The success of the outreach was anchored in strong collaboration among partners. The Rotary Club of Accra Premier International provided leadership and resources, while AMA and GAMADA ensured local coordination and community engagement. Alma Medical Laboratory delivered technical expertise and guidance for follow up care, and Jibu Ghana Water supported hydration and sanitation education.
To maintain quality of care, organisers limited participation to between 100 and 110 residents, with particular attention to the needs of the elderly. Plans are already underway for additional screening sessions in February, expected to reach a further 100 to 200 residents.
As the event drew to a close against the backdrop of the Gulf of Guinea, Mr Asiedu reflected on the importance of sustained engagement. He cautioned against what he described as the “nine day wonder” approach to community outreach, where interventions are short lived and quickly forgotten.
“Our approach is different. Objectives must be translated into actions that create lasting community impact. When organisations collaborate, co own programmes and pool resources, the results are far stronger,” he added.
NNF’s commitment
Looking ahead, Mr Asiedu reaffirmed NNF’s commitment to Ga Mashie as a starting point for broader national impact. He also extended an open invitation to visionary companies, stakeholders and other non governmental organisations to join the Foundation in promoting coordinated efforts in health and sanitation, both within Ga Mashie and across other jurisdictions in Ghana.
“Health screening is the doorway to a stronger, more resilient Ghana. Ga Mashie will remain our foundation, and from here, we will continue to build,” he said.
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