Mobile Clinic Initiative & Institute Construction

Summary: There is a dire need for maternal and childcare as well as overall medical services in the Oti Region in Ghana. The goal of the Africa Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology, (AIMST), project is to address those needs by constructing the Oti Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) that will train healthcare workers to provide medical services in the region, as well as train the youth to be cognizant of programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The long term goal is to transform OIST into a tertiary institution of Sciences and Technology that will produce qualified personnel to serve the region and other far beyond areas.

The immediate strategic plan includes the purchasing of a mobile clinic and hiring two nurses to provide medical services, as well as conduct STEM programs for about 20 youth, especially, girls in the area. To accomplish this goal, AIMST partnered with GlobalGiving Organization to engage in crowdfunding in April and September 2021 to raise at least $5,000.00 and up to $50,000.00 for this venture. AIMST in the US was able to raise about $1,915.00, and 1,700.00 Ghana Cedis (about $285.00) that were used for registrations, and transportation to events in Kete Krachi. We are still working diligently to raise funds to cover some of the expenses below. We continue to engage in fundraising activities in 2023 like radio broadcasts and word of mouth to secure enough funds to cover the expenses that would facilitate accomplishing the above goals by December 2023.

Accomplishments and Challenges:

1. July-October 2022: Two AIMST Board members, including the Founder/Chair, went to Ghana from the US to participate in the following activities below:
1. July 9, 2022: The cutting of the sod for the donated ten (acres) in Kwakuae that would be the site for the construction of the Oti Institute of Science & Technology (OIST), and
2. Conducting a successful Health Fair with the Ghana Board members for about 80 adults and children in the Kete Krachi and Kwakuae areas. Most of the items were donated by colleagues and the some members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
3. Meeting with an architect, Mr. Isaak Yarko, to discuss construction requirements for the Institute,
4. July 30, 2022: The 22 students completed the 8-week Leadership camp and were presented with certificates and T-Shirts at the ceremony.  Ms. Cindy Moore, a member of the AIMST Board donated 12 laptops and 15 Chrome Books that was refurbished by another Board member, Mr. Kodwo Dowell to the Youth Empowerment program that was being led by a volunteer, Mr. Mark Ntoso, a Kete Krachi High School Computer Science teacher.
5. September 29, 2022: Changing the name and receiving the Certificate of Incorporation of the AIMST subsidiary NGO in Ghana from Doyuman Youth Empowerment LBG to Africa Institute of Sciences & Technology Organization, LBG (AISTO).
2. March 2023: An account for AISTO was established at Ecobank, Ghana.  Funds were transferred from Morgan Chase Bank in the US to cover the cost of surveying, securing the deed and other expenses for the donated 10 acres at Kwaakuae…
3. A Board member has set up Google webspace for the organization and is in the process of updating the AIMST website at www.aimstinternational.org with new features such as the bios of the new Board members and videos/pictures of the youth that are being tutored in the AISTO STEAM Project at Kete Krachi, Ghana.
4. May 2023: AIMST was fortunate to secure pro bono services to design OIST from Mr. Jason Butz, an Architect that works with the Award winning Lord Aeck Sargent Architectural and Design Firm in Atlanta, Georgia.
5. June 2023: AIMST again was able to secure the services of an experienced  Grant Writer, Ms. Mwamaka Agbakoba, who will be assisting us in developing proposals to raise funds for our projects.
6. AIMST has continued to make requests on FaceBook and by word of mouth for donations and volunteers such as project managers, auditors, etc., etc.
7. AIMST has also established accounts with LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to further create awareness of its project, and is looking for volunteers to keep the social media platforms active.
8. We have drawn a strategic plan for 2023-2028, and some members of the US Board plan to travel to Ghana by December 2023.  The purpose is for the AIMST Board and other investors to tour the site of property in Kwakuae, Kete Krachi and participate in the operation of the Oti Institute of Science & Technology.
9. Other Items in the updated 2023-2028 Strategic Plan:

a. Engage in other Fundraising activities/Volunteers… January-December 2023

b. Hire employees and recruit volunteers and student interns… COO/Accountant/Project Manager in Ghana.

c. Have the architectural drawings of OIST in place, and start the construction by the end of July 2023.

d. Seek public/partnerships with the Peace Corps and the Ministry of Education in Ghana.

e. Conduct another STEM Youth Leadership Camp for High School students in August 2023.

f. Purchase Mobile clinic/hire two nurses to deliver maternal/child health services to surrounding villages.

Links:

• Africa Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology, Inc.