July 10th, 2025, 11:43am MDT
On June 19th, villagers gathered in the warm West African sun to witness an incredible ceremony.
The church has completed construction of a new community-based health plan and services (CHPS) facility. This is a fully equipped clinic with nurse accommodation, delivery and consulting rooms, bathrooms, clinics and much-needed medical equipment. For this small community, the project has been nothing but a change.
The clinic is a story of tenacity, love and prayer.
Mother’s plea for her village
At the heart of this effort is Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, a retired professor from Morso in Animal Biology and Conservation Sciences at the University of Ghana.
Impressed by the deep and inadequate conditions of her former health post in her hometown, she began to seek help, the church’s African newsroom reported.
“Whenever I visited an old CHPS facility, I felt that I needed to do something urgent,” she said. “To see a patient sharing a female inpatient with a male patient was something that made me feel so sick. That was just not right.”
Her appeal to non-governmental organizations was lacking.
“I knocked on some NGO doors to get a new facility. I wasn’t successful,” she said.
That was when she approached the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “They opened me up and welcomed me,” she said. “We’re building a new facility right now. I’ll be grateful to them forever.”
A healing gift
The church responded with speed and care, built clinics from scratch and equipped with the necessary medical equipment.
Among the many donations were hospital beds, ultrasound machines, fetal Dopplers, oxygen tanks, vaccine refrigerators, wheelchairs and even infant resuscitation devices.
But this was more than a list of materials. It was a message, loud and clear: the people of Morso are important.
During the handover ceremony, Elder Isaac K. Morrison, the 70 presidents and second counselor of the Western African president, offered words that reflected the church’s purpose.
“This project, a CHPS facility, reflects the Church’s deep and lasting commitment to strengthening families and communities through service, love and collaboration,” he said. “Our goal as a church is to do well. We strive to do that by sharing our love and dedication to Jesus Christ.”
A day of joy and unity
The local leaders arrived in traditional Regalia and an atmosphere of celebration filled the village as people expressed their gratitude.
Nana Obeng Poku Tano II, the chief of the nearby Kwahu Bokuruwa community, chaired the event. He was impressed not only by the scope of the donation, but also by its timeliness. “What surprised me and appealed was the speed at which this project was completed,” he said. “I say I bless and thank my donors, the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ.”
Nana Aceampoma Anima I, the mother of the Queen of the Community, reflected her gratitude in her deep emotions. “My heart is filled with joy this morning. I am grateful to the Lord for giving us the desires of our hearts because our physical health is so important,” she said. “It has always been my prayer to get new things for the community. We had many disappointments from several NGOs before meeting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are very grateful for what you did for us.”
More than medicine
Although there are no Latter-day Holy Meetings in Morso, they saw firsthand what their disciples in action now looked like.
Elder Morrison explained that as a follower of Jesus Christ, members of the Church are committed to obeying the two great commandments of the Lord. He confirmed that the residents of Morso are neighbours and, more importantly, brothers and sisters.
The conversation quickly turned into the future as the ribbon was cut and the clinic was officially opened.
Some people were excitedly talking about the expected economic ripple effect. With better access to healthcare, residents in the surrounding area may begin to travel to Morso, increasing the demand for places to stay, eat and shop.
However, on that day it belonged to the people of Morso first and foremost. For them, the clinic was more than a building, and a blessing. And while the church may not yet have a meeting place in Morso, its existence is already felt in the most Christlike way possible. Through love, service, and healing.
