Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Media Foundation, (GloMeF), an anti-human rights and media advocacy Non-Governmental Organisation, has called for the upgrade of the Tema General Hospital to meet modern standard.
He said the revamping and subsequent operations of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) had made necessary for the upgrade and expansion of the hospital to well position the facility to deliver first-class healthcare services.
In interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Sunyani on the performance of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration so far, Mr Ahenu, an international human rights activist lauded the government for the revamping of TOR.
He said the operationalising of TOR was an indication that the government was determined to push a robust industrialisation drive for job creation and poverty reduction and progressive development.
“Tema remains the heartbeat of Ghana’s industrial economy and with the TOR back to life the city will now host 1000s of industrial workers exposed to occupational and environmental health risks,” he stated.
He said: “It’s therefore inappropriate for such a strategic industrial hub to rely on an overstretched and under-resourced hospital.”
Mr Ahenu said the increasing industrial activities coupled with rapid population growth, and urban pressures required an urgent upgrade and expansion of the hospital’s infrastructure, equipment, specialist units, and human resources to meet international standards.
“A modernised Tema General Hospital includes advanced emergency and trauma care, occupational and industrial health units, diagnostic and imaging centers, maternal and neonatal services, and digital health systems to improve efficiency and patient outcomes,” he stated.
He said: “This isn’t just a Tema issue, however a national development and human rights concern,” saying accessing quality healthcare remained a fundamental human right, and the government had that obligation in ensuring that citizens, especially in high-risk industrial zones, access quality medical care.
Mr Ahenu said the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs 3) enjoined countries to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, saying upgrading the hospital would directly put the nation on the edge to achieve the set target for the goal three by 2030.
He stated that with just about four years to go, the nation must do more and strengthen its health systems to reduce preventable deaths, improve emergency response, and promote universal access to quality healthcare.
Mr Ahenu said: “We can’t talk about industrial growth, decent work, and economic productivity without investing in strong healthcare infrastructure,” and urged the government to prioritise the upgrade of the hospital.
GNA
Edited by ChristabelAddo
29 Dec. 2025
Caption: Picture shows Mr Ahenu
