The former head of the Ophthalmology Department of the 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier General Paul Yaovitse Kponyoh (rtd), has urged officers of the hospital to remain professional in the discharge of their duties.
According to him the military messes acted as a nexus point that enhanced the spirit de corps, cultivated leadership attributes and fostered a binding military philosophy of officers.
He said this at the 2022 end of year ball held in Accra on Friday, aimed at helping military health workers take time off their busy schedule to relax, wine, dine and have fun with each other in order to reduce work stress.
“Using myself as an example, the mess contributed to and strengthened my development, morale, rare characteristics that were fundamental to my successful career,” he stated.
He said standards at the mess had improved with the hospital remaining a reliable and dedicated point of call for healthcare.
Brig. Gen Kponyoh said “the role 37 Military Hospital has played in taking care of the health needs of Ghanaians over the years and its contribution to national development is highly commendable.”
He commended the hospital for sacrifices made during the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 as well as other national disasters and praised the health workers for feat chalked during the pandemic.
He also thanked corporate organisations and individuals for supporting the hospital in diverse ways adding that the hospital derived it strength from working together with such entities.
The president of the Mess Committee, Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Gyewu Darko, said the ball was deserving of officers and civilian staff of officer status who had worked tirelessly throughout the year.
He indicated that the mess had not organised a ball since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country two years ago.
He mentioned that the mess had suffered some infrastructural and logistics challenges which could not be solely supported by the dues of members.
“It is hoped that some philanthropists and institutions will partner us to continue to address these challenges,” Lt Cdr Darko added.
He urged members of the mess to get to know each other beyond the strict professional life and create an opportunity to build and strengthen important ties.
Lt Cdr Darko therefore encouraged officers to patronise the mess to promote esprit de corps.
Also present at the ceremony were commander of 37 Military Hospital, Brig. Gen Azumah Bugri; Commanding Officer, 37 Military Hospital, Col Seth Attoh and Director General, Ghana Armed Forces, Brig. Gen Raymond Ewusi.
The rest were Chief Nursing Officer, Col Francisca Aba Amakyi; Chief Nursing Officer Administration, Col Rahinatu Alanado and Chief Nursing Officer Clinical, Col Patience Owusu.
BY JEMIMA ESINAM KUATSINU
