Clement assembles a hosptial bed. ©IOM 2015
It is amazing what migrants contribute and IOM in Ghana is proud to feature the story of a Ghanaian IT specialist living in the Netherlands who has gone above and beyond to share his experience and expertise back home.
Mr. Clement Adu Twum is a Ghanaian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialist currently working for ROC Mondriaan in The Hague, Netherlands. He is an active participant in IOM Ghana’s Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals (TRQN) III project, that facilitates the short-term work exchange of Ghanaian diaspora.
Clement, IOM and CCTH staff take stock of the donated computers. ©IOM 2015
Clement completed his most recent TRQN III assignment in Ghana in August 2014 at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region. Whilst there he visited Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) in the Central Region to support another TRQN III activity, and saw the
ICT needs of CCTH. He contacted his employer in the Netherlands, ROC Mondriaan, and with their support was able to gather a donation of modern ICT equipment worth over EUR 800,000.
On 13 March 2015, Clement delivered the two containers to CCTH. It was filled with hundreds of items such as computers, printers, televisions (including LCD information screens), beds, furniture and accessories. The donation will be used by the hospital, which also serves as a referral centre for the Western Region, to improve healthcare delivery.
According IOM Ghana National Project Officer Daniel Kweku Sam, “The IOM Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals project offers diaspora professionals the opportunity to contribute to the development of Ghana. Mr. Adu Twum and his immense contribution to health sector development in Ghana exemplifies the possibilities that exist when diaspora are engaged.”
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, Clement explained, “[I] decided to mobilize the equipment as my contribution to make the CCTH a true centre of excellence in quality tertiary healthcare, through medical education and research as well as to support ICT implementation and improve continuous skills/professional development in the hospital.” He credits his employer in The Hague for their generous donation of equipment and for supporting him to take time off from his position in the Netherlands to participate in such diaspora development projects in Ghana.
Clement, Daniel Kweku Sam (IOM), and Dr. Daniel Asare (CCTH CEO) prepare to unveil the ICT donation. ©IOM 2015
Dr. Daniel Asare, CEO of CCTH, said the donation was “unprecedented in the history of the hospital” and that the equipment would prove immensely useful. One important advancement from the new ICT infrastructure is the potential to practice telemedicine that allows physicians to view patient files electronically without having to wait for printed copies.
Clement made a similar act of philanthropy to the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region of Ghana in July 2012. After learning that the hospital was in need of equipment during his first temporary assignment, he quickly put together a donation of two transport containers filled with computers, printers, televisions (LCD information screens), furniture and accessories, from his workplace in the Netherlands.
“I am glad to help Ghana with my technical skills by participating in such a great project; therefore I will do my best to help achieve better health services and success,” says Clement.
Since 2012, the TRQN III project has facilitated exchanges within the education and health sectors of Ghana, made possible with support from the Dutch government. TRQN III strives to contribute to national development policies and strategies by engaging diaspora communities in improving the capacity of governmental and non-governmental institutions.
For more information about IOM’s #MigrantsContribute campaign please visit http://www.migrantscontribute.com/; or to learn about #IOMGhana TRQNIII activities please visit http://www.iom.int/countries/ghana
Dr. Daniel Asare (CCTH CEO) officially receives the generous ICT donation from Clement. © IOM 2015