It was a happy moment for 14 year old Sharon Salifu and Mr. John Asare an adult, when they were fitted with artificial legs to walk again after being unable to walk for more than a decade.
A major achievement by the Salvation Army Community Based rehabilitation center at Agona Duakwa in the Central Region.
For the first time in its 36 years of existence, the Centre is producing prosthetics or artificial limbs.
The Agona Duakwa Salvation Army hospital has existed for more than 70 years but the rehabilitation center has been in existence for 36 years.
The hospital provides general services to people from Agona West and East areas of the central region as well as the Eastern, Western, Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions.
The rehabilitation center offers disability services including orthopedic, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and others.
After many years of research and training, the center initiated moves to produce artificial limbs themselves to help those in need at reasonable cost.
The News team visited the Prosthetic and orthotics workshop. The workshop manager Mr. Michael Badu took the team through the processes of producing the prostatic and the cost per unit.
14-year-old J.H.S pupil from Koforidua, Ms. Sharon Salifu, who has been there for more than a week was ready to get her artificial leg fixed.
Sharon’s mother, Madam Lamina Salifu couldn’t hold back her tears as she recollected how Sharon lost her leg. She called for support for the center to help more people living with disabilities.
The second client, is Mr. John Asare, once a business man in Kumasi, was also awaiting his turn.
A visibly happy former Member of Parliament for Krachi Nchumuru, Mr. John Majisi, who had gone to visit Mr. Asare, urged the government to support the centre to produce more affordable prosthetics.
The administrator of the Salvation Army Community Based rehabilitation Centre, Mr. Raymond Badu appealed to the government, organizations and philanthropists for assistance.
The Chief of Agona Duakwa, Nana Amoakwa Boadu, also called for support for the hospital.