Chicagoans Support Dev't in Saltpond

Chicago is synonymous with Ghanafest, the largest and most spectacular Ghanaian cultural festival in the diaspora, but before Ghanafest, there was the Saltpond Redevelopment Institute (SRI) which celebrated 20 years of community service with fundraising and dinner dance at the Hyatt Regency, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago.

Invited guests include, Donna Perisee-McFarlane,MD; Bishop Lance Davis; Mr. and Mrs. Afriyie and Mr. and Mrs. Kwarteng of Oakley construction fame; Prof. Akainya of Akainya gallery, he donated lithographs to the SRI; Mr and Mrs. Abbayea and Ms. Mariam Issakka , who represented the Ghana National Council.

The Saltpond Redevelopment Institute is a not-for-profit, volunteer, charitable organization aimed at bringing professionals, industrialists, educators, businesses and scientists together for the concentrated scientific redevelopment of the Saltpond geographical area in Ghana.

Among the major achievements of the SRI includes the following

• Donation of sixty-eight electric hospital beds, two anesthesia machines, surgical supplies, hospital furniture, refrigerators/deep freezers, washer/dryer, laboratory equipment including microscopes and other hospital equipments donated by Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago.
• Construction of 5,000 and 10,000 gallon water reservoirs at Saltpond Government Hospital.This was partially sponsored by the United States Embassy in Ghana. Donated 100,000 watts generator to Saltpond Government Hospital.
• Rehabilitation of abandoned warehouses for a community center, library and IT training center.

Acquired a 53.26 acre of land for Saltpond Institute of Technology Construction of animal husbandry and other agricultural products Acquired 110 acres of land for future global development and self sustaining quality of life.

The founder and chairman of the organization, Dr. Agen Davis, is an unassuming but well known cardiologist and internal medicine specialist in Chicago. In his remarks, Dr. Davis thank contributors to his organization for the heart they have behind their donation. He continued by saying “ We thank you not only for the human morality of your action but its altruism”.

The guest speaker of the function, Bishop Lance Davis pledge to help the hospital and the people of Saltpond by building wells. Bishop Davis is noted to have built wells in villages in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

The fundraiser and dinner dance was emceed by Chicago’s ace news reporter, John Davis, former CBS affiliate station, channel Two News caster.
Entertainment was provided by a live band and the Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, performed many spellbinding African cultural dances. There were silent auctions and raffle draws to raise funds for SRI projects.