A ceremony to signal the official start of construction of a US$4.5 million centre of excellence for research and treatment of the sickle cell disease at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the nation’s second largest referral facility, has been performed.

The project is funded by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) as part of its collaboration with the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana.

Mr Alexander Mould, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNPC, said this tied in with its vision of providing meaningful assistance in areas that would have positive impact on the lives of the people.

He said there was no doubt that the centre would give comfort and save many lives, adding that, “it would be tragic to deny Ghanaians the benefit of this much needed facility”.

The successful completion of the project would bring relief not only to patients in Ashanti but Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and West regions, he noted.

Professor Kwaku Ohene-Frimpong, the President of the Sickle Cell Foundation, said it would offer adequate space for efficient management of people suffering from the sickle cell disease.

This, he said, was something they had sought to do over the years but were constrained by funding.

He said it was refreshing that GNPC had stepped in to build the centre to end the pain and suffering of the patients.

Prof Ohene-Frimpong applauded the tremendous support the Foundation had received from the GNPC towards the newborn screening programme and the development of Ghana’s first genetic education and counselling for sickle cell conditions.

A cheque covering the construction cost had earlier been presented to the Foundation by the GNPC at the Manhyia Palace in the presence of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who pledged to closely monitor the project.