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In attendance were 122 participants and invited guests.

The chairman for the occasion was Dr. Abdullai Tinorga (Former WHO Public Health director)

Other invited guests were as follows;

• The Sagnari-naa palace was represented by Nyaba Datalin-Lana, Tali-Lana and 8 elders
• The Choggu Chief palace was represented by Salanba-Lana, Sabaha-naa, Duli-lana, Tuunaa and 8 others
• Alhaji Abukari – Bamvim Dohin-naa
• Kworili Chakpekoli-naa
• Alhaji Abdulai Chairman (former Regional Minister of the Northern Region)
• Alhaji Mohammed Husein
• Alhaji Amadou Montia (owner of Baobab Microfinance Company in Tamale)
• Mr Ansbert Amoro, (Treasurer, UDS)
• Collins Asomani (Optical Technical Advisor, Vision Spring)
• Hajia Mariama Abdullai (Director of Shekinah clinic)
• Alhaji Alhassan Alolo
• Dr James Murphy (ENT doctor, Tamale Teaching Hospital)
• Dr Jeff Peters (Head of Dept of Anesthesia, Tamale Teaching Hospital)
• The members of the Eye Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital
• The eye nurses and optometrists of North Ghana
• Family and friends of all NCEH employees
• The media was also present (Savana Fm, Justice Fm, Zaa Fm, TV3, Metro TV, Sagani TV)

1. The ceremony started at 10 20 am with an opening prayer by Dr. Nicholas Date, optometrist, Tamale Teaching Hospital.

From this point, everything said in English was translated to Dagbanle, as some of the audience did not speak English.

The area chiefs were welcomed by drummers and a singer who was reciting their names and deeds.

BRIEF ADDRESS BY CHIEF OF SAGNARIGU

The representative of the Sagnarigu chief, Nyaba Datalin-Lana gave a word of advice to community members, and in his speec, he thanked the director of NCEH and its partners for the great support and development brought to the community and assured NCEH of his full assistance.

EYE CARE AWARENESS TALK- OSMAN MUBARAK, OPHTHALMIC, NURSE BOLGA PRESBY EYE CLINIC

“Your eyes are an important part of your health. Most people rely on their eyes to see and make sense of the world around them. But some eye diseases can lead to vision loss, so it is important to identify and treat eye diseases as early as possible. You should get your eyes checked as often as your health care provider recommends it, or if you have any new vision problem. And just as it is important to keep your body health, you also need to keep your eyes healthy.  “

MUSICAL INTERLUDE:

The members of the Tahama Cultural Dance company were dancing “Bamaya”, a traditional Dagbani rain dance, when the young men dress and dance like ladies.

Address of Alhaji Abdullai Chairman, 96 years old opinion leader and former regional minister:

He also talked about the importance of health and especially eye health. He gave a few advice about life in general to the mostly younger audience.

BRIEF HISTORY OF NCEH

Dr. Judith Simon, one of the founders of NCEH in her speech said she had come to stay in Ghana permanently. She has been working at the Tamale Teaching Hospital for nearly 7 years now. She has seen the need to establish an eye hospital to eliminate treatable blindness and provide eye care to all members in the community regardless of their ability to pay. The profit generated from the paying patients will be used to cross-subsidize and fund free care for the poor.

Here is a link to her speech:

MUSICAL INTERLUDE:

The members of the Tahama Cultural Dance company were dancing “Jara”, another traditional Dagbani dance.

At the end of the ceremony the Chairman stressed again the importance of eye health and regular eye checkups. He thanked all the participants for their presence and participation.

After this, the Nyaba Datalin-Lana cut the ribbon of the Northern Community Eye Hospital and the guests had an opportunity to visit the premises, including the consulting rooms and Theater. Then lunch and drinks were served and also Hungarian pancakes. There was also free vision and glaucoma screening for the invited guests. Some guests lingered around till 4 pm, just chatting and enjoying the afternoon.