In a direct appeal to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and regional stakeholders, the Nkwanta North District Health Director, Mr. Eric Agboka, has called for the immediate elevation of the Sibi Central CHPS Compound to a fully-fledged Health Centre. Speaking at the District’s Annual Performance Review in Sibi, Mr.
Agboka revealed that the small facility is currently overwhelmed, attempting to provide care for over 8,000 residents with infrastructure designed for a fraction of that population.
Despite being the second most populous district in the Oti Region, Nkwanta North currently operates with only two recognized health centres—located at Damanko and Kpassa—leaving a vast geographical and demographic gap in the middle of the district.
1. The Case for Upgrading: Population vs. Infrastructure
Mr. Agboka warned that the rising demand for services is putting "immense pressure" on the Sibi facility, making a structural expansion unavoidable if quality care is to be maintained.
Expected Benefits of the Upgrade:
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Enhanced Case Management: Moving beyond basic primary care to handle more complex medical cases.
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Maternal & Child Health: Providing dedicated spaces for safe deliveries and neonatal care.
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Referral Reduction: Decreasing the need for patients to travel long distances to Damanko or Kpassa for secondary care.
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Staff Relief: Nurse-in-charge Mr. Justice Believe Adjie described the current workload as "overwhelming," noting that a well-equipped centre would significantly improve staff morale and efficiency.
2. A Call for "Collective Action"
The Health Director emphasized that the government cannot achieve this "Institutional Reset" alone. He called on traditional authorities, local chiefs, and community members to partner with the directorate in mobilizing resources to kickstart the transformation.
"Collective action is key... upgrading the CHPS compound will improve case management and strengthen maternal and child health services for the people of Sibi." — Eric Agboka, District Health Director
3. Strategic Context: Oti Region Healthcare 2026
The struggle in Nkwanta North highlights a broader regional challenge where population growth is outstripping the pace of healthcare infrastructure. With Sibi Central serving as a critical hub for surrounding farming communities, its upgrade is seen as a "Service Reset" that would stabilize the entire district's health network.
The Bottom Line
The Nkwanta North District Health Directorate is pushing for a "Primary Care Reset." By demanding that Sibi Central be upgraded, Mr. Agboka is attempting to ensure that the 8,000 residents of Sibi are not left behind in the 2026 march toward Universal Health Coverage. As the community awaits a response from the Ministry of Health, the focus remains on local "sacrificial sweat" to keep the existing CHPS compound running.
