Africa visit views clinic’s progress

A church in Ollerton is helping to raise money to build a £45,000 medical clinic in Ghana.

The Lifespring Church, Sherwood Drive, is working in partnership with four other churches across Nottinghamshire and the health authority in Ghana.

Pastor Mike Phillips said the idea came from a feasibility study carried out four years ago that found 12 villages in the western region had no medical facilities.

He said malaria was a big problem in the country and there was a lack of pre and post-natal health care for women.

Around £30,000 has been raised for the project so far. The outer walls are already constructed and the roof is due to be completed.

The medical clinic is located in a village called Takoradi.

Mr Phillips and six others from the Lifespring Church and Sherwood Forest Community Church, Blidworth, travelled to the village.

They visited the medical clinic, schools and hospitals as well as a play group set up in the Grace Pentecostal Church in Takoradi.

Mr Phillips, a missionary in Ghana during the 1970s, said: “It was an amazing experience, especially to see the way that this building has taken shape from an idea in our heads.

“It gives you a tremendous feeling of satisfaction doing something that will help people.

“The welcome we received was amazing. The whole atmosphere is so positive.”

He said the clinic would be staffed by health care professionals paid for by the government while the five Nottinghamshire churches cover maintenance costs.

The Turnaround charity shop, Ollerton, raised around £6,000 towards the project last year and another £5,000 has been earmarked for this year.

A Ghana-themed evening, with food and costumes from the region, is due to be held at the Lifespring Church in March.

Mr Phillips hopes to return to check on the progress of the clinic in October.

e.peitras@newarkadvertiser.co.uk