Atwima Kwanwoma Project

I. The goal of the NOT FOR PROFIT is to improve the healthcare system of Ghana. We plan to work in concert with the ministry of health by increasing access to care for the rural population.

II. The first phase of the project involves the accumulation of raw land in the northern region of Ghana, Kumasi. We engaged in discussion with the local chiefs who owned them and the agreed to sell a portion of their parcels to us. We have already obtained 4 acres with hopes to obtain 60 acres by the end of the calendar year.

III. The second phase of the project will be to engage with the ministry of health. They serve as the governing institute of the healthcare system. By engaging with them, we hope to develop a trusting relationship that will allow us to better serve the local population. The land acquired from the initial phase will be utilized to develop a hospital building. The building will be turned over to the ministry of health to be staffed and implement care to the rural population that lack access. We will also engage with the current clinics which are in the rural regions of Africa. Currently these are understaffed, and poorly equipped to handle the complex diseases of the presenting patients. Therefore, we plan to assist the ministry by donating more equipment and personnel at these locations.

IV.

• Yes, we plan to educate the community at large regarding chronic primary care diseases and sustainable agricultural development
• Chronic illness can bring significant disability and early death and affect every aspect of life-how one eats, works, and loves. Having a long-term illness can demand profound life changes. Managing symptoms, changing diet, taking medications, and interacting with the medical care system are but a few of the tasks entailed.
• One successful multidimensional approach to caring for patients with chronic illness within primary care is “the chronic care model”. This model includes system changes designed to provide both patient and provider with support for disease management. Examples include linking patients with community resources; accessible guidelines to inform provider’s clinical decisions, and clinical information systems that foster integrated care and track actual disease management
• Establish trust: In rural areas, personal relationships are key, and word-of-mouth using peer “ambassadors” is an effective recruitment strategy. Holding workshops at familiar sites such as senior centers, health centers, older adult housing, or local restaurants also helps—and may offer options for transportation.
• Engage partners: Partners can help overcome resource limitations, provide referrals, assist with outreach, and in some cases, offer financial support, provide access to known and trusted community members, such as service coordinators at senior housing sites, local public health personnel.
• Think about and plan for transportation: Transportation access is a significant problem in rural areas that can affect participation. In concert with our partners, we will try to develop some form of transportation system which will ease the burden off those destitute individuals with no means to afford them.
• Communication is key: Ongoing contact with leaders and participants is important for maintaining connections. If participants miss a session, it is important to find out why and encourage them to return. Stay in touch with leaders — value what they do and keep them connected to your organization.
• Ongoing outreach and promotional messages are vital: Program marketing should be carried out through numerous venues, by multiple people (staff and volunteers), and at multiple times, since people generally do not act the first time they hear a message.
• Consider incentives: Finding sponsors for pre-paid lunch cards for participants’ meals on workshop days or arranging for meals at local restaurants for workshop participants may encourage registration and retention. Some states offer completer compensation to providers. If incentives are used, grantees should consider whether it is a necessary expense that furthers the project’s mission and how it will be sustained, e.g. sponsorship by a local business or service organization.