The Commissioner and Volta Region Representative to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, has commended traditional leaders who take proactive steps toward community development, emphasizing that such initiatives can ignite sustainable progress at the grassroots level.
Dr. Apetorgbor made the remarks on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Adidome in the Volta Region, where he served as Chairman and Special Guest at the official commissioning of the “Health Kiosk” Project—an initiative aimed at providing accessible, preventive healthcare services within the community.
The Health Kiosk, a project by the Wellness Bridge Initiative (WBI), is designed to offer routine vital health checks—particularly for the early detection of silent health threats like hypertension and diabetes. It specifically targets underserved groups such as market vendors, okada riders, hawkers, and pedestrians, providing healthcare directly where people live and work.
Dr. Apetorgbor praised Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V, the Chief of Adidome and Executive Director of Wellness Bridge Initiative, for his visionary and life-saving leadership.
“This is a true example of visionary leadership,” he said, adding that the project aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s people-centred health policy, which prioritizes community-based delivery, preventive care, and early diagnosis to minimize avoidable illnesses and deaths.
He stressed the importance of health to national progress:
“Health and development are inseparable. A healthy population forms the bedrock of a productive economy. This initiative puts community well-being at the centre of our development efforts by ensuring early detection and management of chronic conditions.”
Calling for broader support, Dr. Apetorgbor appealed to development partners, philanthropists, and fellow traditional authorities to support similar projects in the Volta Region and beyond.
“Let us light these small fires in our communities—for when each of our stools rises in unity and purpose, the whole region shall glow with development,” he urged.
The Health Kiosk operates on four key pillars:
- Encouraging routine blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring.
- Promoting healthier nutrition choices.
- Facilitating regular physical activity.
- Launching age-specific fitness clubs under the campaign, “Age is a Number.”
The launch event also featured a community health screening and was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the District Chief Executive for Central Tongu, the District Health Director, traditional leaders, community members, and various representatives from the public health and development sectors.
