By Jones Anlimah
The Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mrs. Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, has paid a working visit to the Ho Teaching Hospital’s Music Therapy Studio and wellness facility, describing the initiative as impressive and expressing interest in exploring areas of cooperation between Namibia and the hospital.
The visit formed part of efforts to promote the Volta Region within Ghana’s growing medical and wellness tourism agenda.
Mrs. Nghituwamata said she was particularly impressed by the investment in the facility and was eager to learn how the public-sector institution had developed the initiative.
“I am more willing to understand this public-sector hospital, how communities are affording it, and perhaps then we can really forge out the area of cooperation,” she said.
The High Commissioner noted that facilities of such nature are often associated with the private sector in other countries and said the initiative could offer valuable lessons for Namibia.
She said the visit marked the beginning of what could become a lasting relationship between Namibia, the Volta Region and the Ho Teaching Hospital.
“We really want to be part of achieving your strategic plan,” Mrs. Nghituwamata stated, adding that Namibia was also interested in learning from the hospital’s approach to wellness and rehabilitation.
She further pointed to the potential for cooperation in healthcare and other areas, drawing on the Namibian High Commission’s previous collaboration with Ghanaian health institutions.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr. Hintermann Mbroh, said the facility was contributing to Ghana’s medical and wellness tourism agenda through specialist healthcare, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, music therapy and meditation services.
He said the Volta Region, popularly referred to as the “Oxygen City”, provides an environment where healthcare, wellness, nature and tourism can complement one another.
“Today’s visit, therefore, provides an opportunity to experience what is available and to strengthen the health, wellness and people-to-people connections between Ghana and Namibia,” Dr. Mbroh said.
The District Chief Executive for Adaklu, Jerry Yao Ameko, welcomed the High Commissioner and her delegation, describing the facility as a source of pride and an opportunity for the district and the Volta Region.
He said the Music Therapy Studio, described during the visit as the first of its kind in Africa, had the potential to attract wellness tourists, patients, families and other visitors from Ghana and beyond.
“We believe it can become a major attraction for wellness tourists, patients, families and visitors from Ghana and beyond,” Mr. Ameko said.
He called on development partners, private investors, corporate Ghana, international organisations and friendly countries, including Namibia, to support the development of the facility and related wellness initiatives.
According to him, investment in wellness goes beyond infrastructure.
“It is investment in people, health, tourism, jobs and the future of our communities,” he said.
Mr. Ameko also identified potential areas for collaboration between Namibia, the Ho Teaching Hospital and the people of Adaklu, including wellness tourism, knowledge exchange, medical partnerships, investment and cultural cooperation.
The visit is expected to open discussions on possible partnerships as the Ho Teaching Hospital positions its wellness and medical tourism initiatives as part of the broader development of the Volta Region as a destination for healthcare, rehabilitation and wellness.
