The Past Girls of OLA Girls’ SHS, Ho – Greater Accra Chapter marked Mother’s Day with a hospital outreach by settling outstanding medical bills for mothers detained at LEKMA Hospital after childbirth due to financial constraints.
Addressing management, staff, and beneficiaries at the hospital, Dr. Edem Sarbah Welbeck, POGA Global President, advised mothers to prioritise their total health and wellbeing.
She urged them to care for their newborns and raise them to become responsible, productive members of society.
She noted that while children are a blessing from God, it is equally important to consider one’s living conditions when deciding on family size.
Dr. Sarbah Welbeck described the gesture as the association’s “widow’s mite to society.”
In a speech delivered on behalf of Prisca Peters, the POGA Greater Accra President, Jemima Osai, Vice President of POGA Greater Accra Chapter, said the initiative was aimed at honouring mothers and “giving back to society” in gratitude for the opportunities received as Past Girls.
“Today, we are gathered here for a very special purpose. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we are reminded of the invaluable role mothers play in our families and society,” she said.
She described mothers as “first teachers, caregivers, supporters, and pillars of strength,” whose sacrifices “often go unnoticed, yet their impact is immeasurable.”
She explained that the initiative focused on supporting mothers who had delivered healthy babies but were unable to be discharged due to unpaid medical bills.
“We understand that illness and medical emergencies can place unexpected financial burdens on families. Through this initiative, we hope not only to settle these bills but also to bring relief, hope, and smiles to the faces of these mothers and their loved ones,” she added.
She thanked hospital management and staff for their cooperation, and acknowledged all Past Girls of OLA, Ho whose contributions made the outreach possible.
During the outreach, an amount of GH₵20,000 and 20 packs of diapers were donated to cover medical expenses for mothers unable to afford post-delivery bills.
The donation was made on behalf of POGA Greater Accra, POGA Global Executives, and the entire POGA family at home and abroad.
The President of POGA, Greater Accra Chapter wished the beneficiary mothers “good health, strength, happiness, and many more years of being a blessing to their families and communities,” and expressed hope that the act of kindness would inspire others to support those in need.
Speaking on behalf of management, Esinam Adih, Chief Nursing Officer at the LEKMA hospital said the gesture would bring much-needed relief to both the mothers and the hospital.
She explained that because some mothers could not pay their bills, pressure mounted on the facility, as bed capacity could not accommodate the increasing number of clients within its catchment area.
The event was held as part of POGA’s community service efforts to strengthen compassion and social support across Ghana.
Receiving the donation, Paa Kwesi Antwi, Block In-Charge, expressed gratitude to the association, noting that it would go a long way to help mothers who could not have afforded their bills.
An overwhelmed partner of one of the beneficiaries described the gesture as “a miracle and answered prayers,” since he and his partner had found no other means to settle their bills. He was grateful to the association for coming to their aid in their time of need.
The occasion was also used to celebrate Esinam Adih, a member of the association and staff of LEKMA Hospital, on her promotion to Chief Nursing Officer.
POGA congratulated her and expressed hope that she would continue to inspire the younger generation.
Chief Nursing Officer Esinam Adih expressed appreciation to POGA for honouring and recognising her.
By: Patricia Norvisi Gbologah, POGA 2005
