Engineers change lives in Ghana

Randy Runzer would jump at the chance to return to Ghana.
Runzer, an applied science technologist with Urban Systems, recently returned from the African nation where he helped conduct a feasibility study with the faith-based group Engineering Ministries International to build a hospital.
The group of highly educated Christian professionals left the comfort of their homes for the dry, hot landscape of Africa. And they were thrilled to do it.
In Ghana, they connected with other Christians and Runzer said every day started with a time of worship and prayer.
Honouring the Lord before heading off to work was just part of the daily routine for his Christian brothers and sisters in Ghana.
It took almost two days to go from the Okanagan, where Runzer lives, to Carpenter, a small village in Northern Ghana.
Runzer was struck by the poverty of the region and immediately recognized the need for a hospital.
"It's very poor, most of the homes are mud huts, thatched roofs,” said Runzer.
But it was a heart-wrenching story that steeled his determination to help the people of impoverished region.
Runzer was told of Peter, a man who lost his young wife during childbirth because they did not have access to a $2 oxycodin pill.
ﾒIt was heartbreaking to hear that what we take for granted they do not even have access to,” he said.
Runzer said the hospital is the dream of David Mensah, a man who came to Canada from Ghana, where he earned a university education before returning to his homeland where he has built a compound that is the base for several businesses. For more on Mensah and the work he and Canadian Christian organizations are doing in Ghana, go to grid-nea.org/.
Mensah employs locals to work in the businesses he created that include growing peanuts, a fish hatchery, growing mushrooms and raising livestock.
ﾒHe's raising the standard of living for quite a few families in that area,” said Runzer, adding Mensah has established a clinic in the compound, the need is much greater.
ﾒThe nearest good hospital is several hours away by vehicle,” said Runzer who did the site servicing for the feasibility plan.
Runzer joined engineers, architects and other professionals in developing the plan, that if done in the Okanagan, would have cost well in excess of $500,000.
All of the work was done for free and Runzer and his teammates even paid their own way to and from Africa.
The hospital will be built in Carpenter, a village of only a few hundred people, but it will service an area of close to 50,000 people – most of whom have no access to medical care.
Runzer said the hospital will be a “full service” facility capable of handling surgeries, emergency needs and childbirth.
The government gave its approval for the hospital plan earlier this month.
ﾒIt's a go now for detailed design,” said Runzer adding the entire team is ready, willing and eager to return to Carpenter and make the hospital a reality.
But no one is more excited than the people of the region.
ﾒAll of the chiefs in the area, including the paramount chief, came to a presentation that we made. They were cheering all the time, they were so excited about the potential to get a hospital,” he said. “I feel a sense of urgency to help as much as I can. They so desperately need it and they are so grateful for everything you do for them.”
The Carpenter Hospital will be the culmination of years of work at improving health in this rural area of Northern Ghana.  The Ghana Rural Integrated Development (GRID) and Northern Empowerment Association (NEA) have been providing mobile medical teams to serve the needs of the region, and invited Engineering Ministries International to help them design a permanent hospital for the region.
The volunteers developed concepts for the hospital and worked with the leadership of GRID & NEA to understand the vision and determine future programming.  They then surveyed the site and assessed the conditions of the existing buildings and infrastructure. 
Runzer inspected the existing water and drainage and proposed infrastructure for the hospital design.  At the end of the week, the team presented a master plan and building design proposal to the NEA leadership, as well as regional chiefs and the community.  The final
report will be sent to GRID & NEA in the coming months, and will be used by the organizations for both fundraising and for construction.  
For more information on Engineering Ministries International, go to emicanada.org.

Copywrite 2014 Darren Handschuh