The absence of a clinic to meet their medical requirements has alarmed the residents of Nzulezu, a town on stilts in the Jamora Municipality in the Western Region.
They said that because the area lacked a healthcare facility, residents had to drive to Beyin and other nearby settlements in order to receive prompt medical care, especially in an emergency.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Western Nzema Youth League Leader Dr. Patrick Ekye Kwesie said: “There is no hope when someone falls sick and cannot afford the services of outboard motor transportation on the river, we can all imagine what will happen.”
He said that the community’s traditional elders had made several unsuccessful attempts to persuade the government and other interested parties to build them a health facility.
He claimed that since Nzulezu is one of the most popular tourist sites in the nation, the establishment of a hospital and other essential amenities ought to be a top priority for the government.
“Nzulezu has been in existence for over 400 years. It is a unique stilt village that you cannot see anywhere in the world because of its forest vegetation, history, way of life, housing construction, religion, customs, and food, and for us, the provision of basic healthcare systems in the community is necessary for this 21st century.”
“For instance, two months ago, the sensational heritage site was flooded and imagine if there was an emergency outbreak. We need to be conversant with some of these things as a nation, Dr. Kwesie indicated.”
He urged the government to take decisive action to construct a healthcare centre for local inhabitants, as well as other important players like the Ghana Tourism Authority.
He said that the locals were ready to mobilise resources to help in the facility’s development.
