The town of Adidome in Ghana’s Central Tongu District has launched a bold health initiative—the pioneering Health Kiosk Project—aimed at saving lives through early detection, public education, and lifestyle change in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The commissioning, held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Fiagbenu Triangle, brought together traditional leaders, health experts, government officials, civil society partners, and residents united by a common mission: to curb preventable illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and stroke.
A Vision Rooted in Personal Loss and Global Insight
Executive Director of ProHealth Ghana Initiative and Chief of Adidome, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V, described the project as “a candle of hope” for those unknowingly living with life-threatening conditions.
Citing alarming statistics, he noted that hypertension affects over 1.28 billion people worldwide—nearly half unaware of their condition—and remains a leading cause of premature death. In Ghana, hypertension tops adult hospital admissions and drives high mortality rates.
“In Central Tongu alone, newly confirmed hypertension cases have more than doubled in just two years. We cannot wait until people collapse before acting. Prevention must come first,” he stressed.
The concept, inspired by the premature death of his father, was refined during his participation in a Cambridge Summer School in Nutrition, where it won first prize in an essay competition.
Built on the AKNE model—Awareness, Know your status, Nutrition, Exercise—the kiosk will offer free health screenings, nutrition education, and community-friendly fitness activities. The pilot will run in Adidome before expanding to all five sub-districts of Central Tongu.
Community Action Meets National Policy
Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Volta Region’s representative to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), lauded the initiative as an example of traditional leadership driving sustainable change.
“This project aligns perfectly with President John Dramani Mahama’s people-centred health policy, which prioritises community-based care, early detection, and prevention,” he said. “Healthy citizens are the foundation of a productive economy.”
He urged philanthropists, development agencies, and other traditional authorities to replicate the model across the Volta Region.
Responding to a Growing Health Crisis
District Director of Health Services, Baba Awumi, warned that the district is facing a dangerous surge in NCD cases:
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Hypertension: 24% increase in new cases in the past year.
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Emergency care: Severe hypertension is the second leading cause of hospital emergencies at Adidome Government Hospital (2024).
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Mortality: Hypertension complications are the leading cause of institutional deaths.
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Diabetes: 81.6% increase in cases in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
“Most adults here don’t know their blood pressure or sugar levels. By the time they find out, it’s often too late,” Awumi said, adding that the kiosk will bring health checks directly to markets, transport hubs, and streets.
Sustaining the Momentum
Speakers called for strong community participation and sustained funding to keep the kiosk running. ProHealth Ghana Initiative is seeking support from donors, corporate partners, and government bodies to scale the project nationwide.
“Health is not a privilege; it is a right,” Togbe Kakaklolo said. “We must shift from cure to prevention, from silence to awareness, and from inaction to empowerment.”
The launch concluded with appreciation for the Ghana Health Service, the Adidome Development Advisory Board, project supervisor Gideon Agordome, the Wellness Bridge Initiative team, and all who contributed to the milestone event.
source: myjoyonline
