First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama has been enstooled as the Nkosuohemaa (Development Queenmother) of the Akroso Asukawkaw Traditional Area in the Oti Region.
She was given the stool name Nana Oseadeeyo Odamewaa II by Nana Odam Gyamfi III, the Paramount Chief of the Akroso Asukawkaw Traditional Area.
The Paramount Chief conferred the honorary traditional title on her during the commissioning of an ultramodern maternity and children’s ward constructed by her foundation, the Lordina Foundation.
Nana Odam Gyamfi III said the enstoolment was in recognition of the First Lady’s relentless efforts to improve effective and efficient healthcare delivery for the chiefs and people of the Akroso Asukawkaw Traditional Area.
“We wish to reiterate our sincere appreciation to you and the Lordina Foundation for the provision of this facility for us,” he said.
The new maternity and children’s ward at Asukawkaw was built following an appeal made on March 2, 2025, by Nana Odam Gyamfi III to address the growing health needs of the community.
Mrs Mahama commended the chiefs and people of the traditional area for the honour. She said the facility had been carefully designed to serve mothers and children with dignity and excellence.
The ward includes a reception and waiting area, a doctor’s office, nurses’ offices, a children’s ward and maternity ward, a fully equipped operating theatre, a delivery room, a sterilisation room, and a neonatal intensive care unit.
She noted that the facility is equipped with essential life-saving equipment, including electric beds, operating tables, infant incubators, ultrasound systems, cesarean and delivery sets, ECG machines, phototherapy machines, patient monitors, and oxygen support systems. It is also fitted with solar panels to provide emergency lighting and reduce electricity use.
Mrs Mahama said the Foundation also supplied furniture, waiting chairs, cabinets, and cleaning supplies to ensure the facility was ready for immediate use.
“The Asukawkaw facility is the fourth modern health facility completed by the Lordina Foundation. The first was in Bole, the second in Nkoranza, the third in Bodom, and now in Asukawkaw,” she said.
She added that the Foundation had also renovated and expanded the Hohoe and Adabraka Clinics.
According to the First Lady, each project reflects the Foundation’s belief that no woman should die while giving birth and no child should begin life without proper care because of their location.
“Our humanitarian mission remains clear: to make primary healthcare accessible to women, girls, and the elderly,” she said.
Mrs Mahama expressed gratitude to partners including Organisation of African First Ladies for Development and the Meck Foundation for supporting the vision of a healthier and more caring society.
She called for collaboration among government, traditional leaders, health workers, development partners and communities to ensure that women, children and vulnerable persons are protected and supported.