ASHANTI AND SAVANNA REGIONS BENEFIT FROM KOG KRIATIONZ NETWORK SIGHT RESTORATION PROJECT

Avoiding Blindness Campaign Project 2012 in collaboration with Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service with support from Indomie was very successful. 35 schools were visited in three regions; Greater Accra - 12, Ashanti - 11 and Western – 12

Findings;

1. Periodic education on how to avoid blindness in basic and middle schools especially in the rural and highly affected areas since almost all the students have little knowledge about it.
2. Screening of the children eyes at least once a year since some the students find it difficult to see and understand what teachers teach them at school.
3. NHIS: Our survey reveals that attending hospital regularly was problem because of financial constrained among the children and NHIS must also cover eye related drugs.
4. Eating of vitamin A enriched foods among children.
5. Changing of black board to Formica type since writing and dusting of blackboard also cause allergic conjunctivitis.

Conclusion:

The students were enlightened about some of the eye conditions which were unknown to them, they were also sensitized on how to discourage their parents from using breast milk and sea water to solving eye problems and dangers in playing with sharp objects, etc more needs to be done in order to achieve the vision 2020’s right to eye sight goal in Ghana

Avoiding Blindness Campaign and Eye Screening Project 2013 in collaboration with Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service with support from Multi-pro Private Limited producers of our favorite instant noodles “Indomie” has been very successful. 40 schools were visited in four regions that is Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti and western region. All saints Anglican JHS was fortieth Junior High School visited in the entire project.  The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Hon. Alfred Ekow Gyan was the special for the occasion. He retreated Government support to avoidable blindness awareness campaigns and Drivers to get their eyes properly screened before giving license to help reduce road accidents due to poor vision.
Our eye screening in Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti and Western Regions reveals that 10.25% of the students have Suspicious Disc (Glaucoma), 26.24% Refractive Error and 10.90% Allergic Conjunctivitis cases which according to teachers has contributed to their recent poor academic performances by which Greater Accra and Western region recorded the highest cases of Refractive Error, Eastern Region- Glaucoma, Ashanti Region- Allergic conjunctivitis.
Conclusion;

Periodic education on how to avoid blindness and eye screening in basic and middle schools especially in the rural and highly affected areas is of kog krationz top most priority hence our annual project, but periodic education and eye screening is not complete without medical support therefore our organization is seeking for funds from cooperate Ghana and philanthropist to help save the sights of these vulnerable children.

Avoidable Blindness Eradication Project 2014 was embarked successfully in six regions. Our target was all ten regions but due to limited of funds we visited six. We were able to provide medical assistance to 580 children that’s; making available of 300 lens for refractive error cases, 157 eye drops for allergies and registration of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for 123 children to enable them access free eye care especially those with suspicious disc cases. But 1,868 children still need aid.
With the collaborations from Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service and support from the Eye Foundation of America, Pacific Oil and Multi-pro Private Limited producers of indomie, 7,641 children at 62 schools were educated and screened. 3,683 were males and 3958 females.  Out of which 2,448 were diagnosed with problems, 1,074 males and 1,374 females.
Though our Target disease areas for the project are Cataract, Refractive Error, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Vitamin A Deficiency, Low Vision, onchocerciasis/river Blindness and Glaucoma, our eye screening in Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti, Western, Volta and Central Regions reveal that 780 children have Suspicious Disc (Glaucoma suspect), 494  Refractive Error , 37 Cataract and 1137 Allergic Conjunctivitis cases which according to teachers has contributed to their recent poor academic performances.
In the Eastern region 881 children were screened, 407 males and 474 females,  286 were diagnosed with various degree of eye diseases. 149 Males and 137 females. 90 were assisted.
Ashanti region had 1,845 children screened, 813 males and 1,032 females, 490 were diagnosed with eye diseases, 201 males and 289 females. 150 were assisted.
In the Volta region, 1,396 children benefited from the screening, 741 children were males and 655 females. 537 had eye diseases, 267 males and 270 females, 100 were assisted.
In the Western region 957 children were screened, 444 males and 513 females, 177 were diagnosed with various degree of eye diseases.  81 Males and 96 females. 90 were assisted.
In the Central region 1,275 children were screened, 607 males and 668 females, 516 were diagnosed with various degree of eye diseases. 229 Males and 287 females. 70 were assisted.

SUMMARY
Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project (abep) 2015 is been successful in Eastern and Ashanti Regions. With collaboration from Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service and funds Eye Foundation of America and Mr. Alex Tenkorang the Managing Director of Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise, 11561 children benefited from the free eye screening. 4,337 of the children have various degree of eye problems; 1,958 Suspicious Disc (Glaucoma Suspect), 1,129Allergic Conjunctivitis, 1,005 Refractive Error, 43 Exotropia, 68 Photophobia, 10 Trauma, 20 Physiological Cupping, 10 Retina Scar, 3 Maculopathy and 3 Myopia
EASTERN REGION
“abep’15” was launched on 10th March at Kama Conference Hall in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The project was officially launched by Dr. James Addy (Eastern Regional Ophthalmologist). The team visited 100 basic schools in 10 districts and screened 7,191 children out of which 4,410 had normal eyes, 1,491 Suspicious Disc (Glaucoma Suspect), 581 Refractive Error, 598 Allergic Conjunctivitis, 43 Exotropia, 5 Trauma and 5 Glaucoma.
ASHANTI REGION
In Ashanti Region, 50 basic schools in 5 districts benefited from the project; 2370 children were screened; 2,842 Normal Eyes, 467 Suspicious Disc (Glaucoma Suspect), 424 Refractive Error, 531 Allergic Conjunctivitis, 50 Exotropia, 33 Glaucoma, 20 Physiological Cupping, 10 Retina Scar, 10 Photophobia, 5 Trauma, 3 Myopia and 3 Maculopathy.
WORLD SIGHT DAY

1. As part of activities marking this year’s world sight day, we organized fun fair programme dubbed “world sight day kids funfair” for children on Saturday 10th October 2015 at Afua Sutherland’s Park, Accra to create awareness on avoidable blindness/vision impairment and embark on free eye screening.
2. 30 ophthalmic nurses screened over 1500 children who participated; 45 Suspicious Disc, 475 Allergic Conjunctivitis, 253 Refractive Error, 25 others.
3. Other activities included competitions among various children; chorography, rap/sing and quiz (all related to eye issues). Awards were be given to winning participants.
4. Even though eye health needs everybody’s attention, kog kriationz has limited it to children because eye diseases detected early at childhood stage can sometimes be corrected before it becomes unbearable in future.
5. We want to see a country (Ghana) where most children are free from eye related diseases. It’s our biggest dream to construct a hospital where children can have free access to eye care in Ghana

Five years ago, Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project emerged as innovative project with a mission to create awareness and save the sight of the under privileged especially children, we have been working hard touching lives and saving sights. Now, we were happy to celebrate abep@5 by reflecting on our accomplishments and looking ahead to live our mission.

157 surgeries were conducted during this yearӳ Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project (abep@5) and World Sight Day Kids Funfair 2016 in two regions; the cases were mainly Cataract and Pterygium. 1,062 were given eye drops and 200 had lens (some had both eye drops/lens). With massive support from Eye Foundation of America and collaboration with Friends Eye Center, Crystal Eye Clinic, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise, Spintex Chemist Pacific Oil and Voltic Ghana Ltd the project was of a success. A total number of 9763 people had their eyes screened comprising of 7453 children (Male-3914/Female-3,539) and 2,310 adults (Male 1,554/Female756). 1,266 people had various diseases.

THE NORTHERN REGION

GREATER ACCRA REGION

This report brings together information about the scope of the awareness creation, screening and eye care support by way of promoting vision and eye health in Ghana in 2017 by Kog Kriationz Network, a non-governmental organization with permission from Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service. The project was dubbed Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project (abep’17).

Working with Experts in eye care delivery from Ghana Health Service and Friends Eye Centre, we embarked on avoidable blindness elimination awareness (abep) in order to prevent the calamity of blindness from befalling on people and also addressed some prevalence of vision disorders among children and adults to help reduce its impact in Atebubu-Amantin District, Jaman South District, Pru East District, Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area and Tamale Metropolis.

Due to the fact that majority of the people cannot afford the cost of solving eye related cases, due to extreme poverty, we partnered with Eye Foundation of America, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise and Friends Eye Centre to either give them eye glasses or eye drops or let him under go eye surgery depending the status of one’s eye, these includes cataract, squint, Pterygium among others.

This year, a total number of 3,924 people were screened. we gave free 526 eye glasses, 2,569 eye drops and performed 197 eye surgeries with 80% of surgeries being Cataract.

Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area (Western Region) recorded 1996 people screened in 5 Basic Schools and 10 Communities. Males 1032 and Females 964

Basic Schools: Nakams Schools, Sefwi Amafie JHS and Aduma JHS, Ayeboso JHS and Anyinabrim JHS

Communities: Royal Palace, Adwuman Community, Ayeboso Anyinabrim, Sefwi Wiaso Palace, Ackaakrom Community, Akontombra Community, Sefwi Bodi District, Juaboso Community, Essam Community and Adabokrom Community

The diseases diagnosed were as follows

Hundreds of people in the Greater Accra and Northern and Upper West regions could not hide their joy after they regained their sight through surgical operations. Some even shared tears of joy for being able to see once again after losing their sight completely for more than five years.

The mass surgery exercise which to most of them was a novelty and sounded like a miracle was successfully carried out in 2018 with a project dubbed “Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project (abep)” by kog kriationz network, an Accra based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in partnership with Eye Foundation of America, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise and Friends Eye Centre. The beneficiary districts include Adentan Municipal, Madina La-Nkwantanan, Shai Osudoku all in the Greater Accra Region as well as Nandom, Lawra, Jirapa, Nadowli, Wa Central and Wa West District in the Upper West Region and Bole and Damango in Northern Region.

Interacting with journalists in Wa, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kog Kriationz Network Mr. Eric Owusu Gyimah disclosed that over 4918 people have benefited from free eye screening exercise while 333 with cataract, Therygium, Squint and Toses related cases had also undergone free surgeries and 2800 drops and 244 eye glasses given out.

He said the NGO’s pre-occupation has been to reach out to the vulnerable with eye related problem by way of offering to them Awareness Creation, free eye screening and surgeries as well as giving free eye drops and glasses to the people depending on one’s condition.

Mr. Gyimah expressed a profound gratitude to Eye Foundation of America, Oheneba Kasemapa Enterprise (producers of the Original Abensuo Drink), Friends Eye Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, Spintex Chemist and Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin for supporting his organization with passion to making people see again.

ABEP 2018 Report

• Georgina Asugri a 2-year-old girl in Jirapa District in the Upper West region of Ghana who was born with a congenital cataract which made her two eyes blind after 8 months of birth has had her two eye restored; thus relieving the parents of both social and economic burden.
• She together with 332 others regained their sight during this year’s Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project (abep’18) and can now go about their day to day duties without aid.
• Avoidable Blindness Elimination Project 2018 was very successful in three regions of Ghana. With the permission from Ghana Education Service and Ghana Health Service, we visited Greater Accra, Upper West and Northern regions. With partnership from Eye Foundation of America, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise and Friends Eye Centre we restored sight to 333 people, gave out 2800 eye glasses and 244 drops all for free.

Below are the areas visited in the various regions

Surgeries performed are as follows;

• In the Greater Accra Region, 11 Basic Schools and 6 Communities. Total number people screened were 3,133, male 1,193 and female 1,940.
• The schools are – Oriens Basic School- Frafraha, Christ Faith Mission JHS-Frafraha, Ashiyie Adma Model School, Sraha Adma Basic School, Holy Rosary R/C JHS, Adjiringanor Adma JHS, Bethel Presby Basic-Otano, Amrahia Adma JHS, Icodehs Islamic JHS – Botwe, Abubakar Sidiq Basic School- Botwe and Oyarifa Presby Primay School.
• In Upper West and Northern regions, the team did a mop-up exercise to get the cases for the surgery.

343 persons including school pupils in the newly created Oti Region and Upper West Region who were partially and totally visually impaired due to eye related challenges such as cataracts, Pterygiums, toses and other eye related cases have had their sight restored through a mass surgery carried out at the at various facilities free of charge.

The mother of a nine-year-old Sumaiya Aminu of Hope Academy Preparatory in Dodo Amanfrom, a community in the Kadjebi District in the Oti Region who could not hold back her tears of joy was full of praise to the Kog Kriationz Network for making it possible for her daughter to regain sight and it will prevent her from dropping out of school.

The free surgery which preceded a mass eye screening exercise in 9 basic schools and 16 communities in the three regions for 3089 people were carried out by the kog kriationz network in partnership with Eye Foundation of America, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise and Friends Eye Centre whose pre-occupation is to eliminate avoidable blindness by way of education and exercises as such in Ghana. 1260 eye drops were dispensed and 390 eye glasses both readers and special order were given out.

SURGERIES

Oti Region: 57

Upper West Region: 286

Below are the areas visited in various regions

Dr. Seth Wanye, who led the team of experts to carry out the surgery advised beneficiaries to adhere to good practices that will always keep their eyes in good condition.

Speaking to the media after the exercise, the chief executive officer of kog kriationz network, Oyokodehye Kofi (Eric Owusu Gyimah) said the project is an annual one which has so far been in all the regions except Upper East. He said, he was touched by the devastating rate at which young people have been dropping out of school and some adult becoming liability to society due to eye related challenges hence the move to help arrest the situation.

Mr Owusu Gyimah hinted of a similar project in the northern region in July as he expressed his profound gratitude to the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, Eye foundation of America, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise (Original Abensuo), Friends Eye Centre and the kog Kriationz Network team for solidly being behind the project for the past years. He called on other corporate organizations to also put their hands on the wheel in order to heal eliminate avoidable blindness since according him the eye is window to the human body.

273 persons including children in Northern, North-East and Savannah Regions who were partially and totally visually impaired due to eye related challenges such as cataracts, Pterygiums, toses and other eye related cases have had their sight restored through a mass surgery carried out at the at various facilities free of charge. Eyes drops and glasses were also discharged to persons in need.

The project did not worked as initially planed, but we managed to saved sight as we have pledged to do irrespective of the global pandemic.

We followed safety protocols in order to accomplish our goal. It was really tuff but we sailed through.

IMPACT

The project has made a significant impact on beneficiaries this year even though the covid-19 pandemic slowed it.

CHALLENGES

2020 has been one of the most challenging year.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was halted for some months before we finally decided to do by following the safety protocols.

Some of funds were channelled to purchase PPEs during the project which made us un able to do the Media Outreach Campaign.

Poor road network has always been a major challenge to the work.

The cost of transporting people from the hinterland to the facility for the surgery as well as housing them till padded is be removed were not easy.

CONCLUSION

We hope that year 2021 will be free of the pandemic to effectively run the project smoothly.

Many were they who were anxiously and enthusiastically waiting for the arrival of the kog kriationz network team in some selected of the North East Region such as Mamprogu Moaduru and West Mamprusi east, East Mamprusi districts for solution to their visual impairment as it has always been in the various regions across the nation in the time past.

But for this social intervention of Kog Kriationz Network a Tema based and Non-Government Organization (NGO) which is basically into restoration of sight and issues relation to avoidable blindness in collaboration Friends Eye Centre, Eye Foundation of America, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise and Bank’s Apothecary, a number of people in those districts including some traditional leaders and school children would have continue to be in the dark.

The NGO has extended its tentacle to the region and performed free surgeries on people who have either gone partially or totally blind due to cataract, and some other eye cases like toses, pterygium, squint etc.

The 387 free eye surgeries preceded by eye screening of about 2000 people where by a number of patience were given free drops and lenses depending on the nature of one condition. The chief of Yagaba Naa Mumini Wuni and a nine-year-old pupil of Yagaba R/C Primary were among the beneficiaries of the free eye surgeries who could not hide their joy after they regain their sight. They therefore called on the team to pay a regular visit to the area in order to rescue people like them from such predicament.

Mean while the CEO of Kog Kriationz Network, Mr. Eric Owusu Gyimah (Oyokodehye Kofi) bemoaned the effect of losing one’s sight as he urged the public to seek prompt medical attention to issue relating to sight instead of resorting to un orthodox means of treatment since about 80% blindness could have been avoided if early treatment is sough.

Mr Gyimah also made a passionate appeal to eye health personnel to accept posting to some of these deprived communities where their services are mostly needed. He however expressed his profound gratitude to Friends Eye Centre, Eye Foundation of America, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise and Bank’s Apothecary for their support.

On his part the CEO of Friends Eye Centre, Dr Seth Wanye abserved that absence of eye specialists in some of these deprived districts particularly Manprugu Moaduro and its environs has compounded the wows of the people hence the need to go to the aid of the people.

Some 553 residences of Wa Municipal and its environs as well as selected districts such as Nandom, Jirapa, Lawra, Gwollu, Nadoli, Wechiau, Adakraba and Tema in the greater Accra and Upper west regions can now hive a sigh of relief as the Kog Kriationz Network, a non-governmental organization based in Tema has performed free surgeries and treatment for them.

A free eye screening for about 5000 people majority of whom were school children from a cluster of schools in the districts preceded the surgery and were given free eye glasses and eye drops while those who condition needed to undergo surgery have successfully been operated upon to correct any refractions.

The chief executive officer and founder of the Kog Kriationz Network, Mr Eric Owusu Gyimah known in showbiz cycle as Oyokodehye Kofi, said that his NGO has been carrying out this humanitarian duty free of charge since 2012 across the nation mostly in deprived districts and in underprivileged society nationwide. This he said could not have been possible without the help of sponsors like Eye Foundation of America, Banks Apothecary, Oheneba Ghana Rice, Friends Eye Centre and Kog Eye Care.

He disclosed that the project focused basically on school children so that their education will not be truncated as well as aged to enable them have some respite and be able to fend for themselves.

The led surgeon Dr Seth Wanye, called on the public to seek periodic checkup on their eyes and desist from any local treatment since this might complicate issues.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to the media could not hide their joy saying it would have been an extremely difficult for them to afford the cost of treatment or surgery. They therefore express gratitude to the NGO and ask that they extend their tentacles to cover the majority of their colleagues who were in similar condition all the country.

The Ashanti and Savanna regions have been the latest beneficiary regions of the Kog Kriationz Network nationwide sight restoration project for the year 2023.

The two regions have been blessed with a team of experts put together by the Kog Kriationz Network a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Accra. The organization's mission is to restore the eye sights of the vulnerable in society and also reach out to selected underserved communities to educate and restore the sight of the affected people through its elimination of avoidable blindness project.

In line with this objective, the NGO has visited some selected districts such as Salaga, Buipe, Bamboi, Bole, Sawla, Daboya and Amansie Central. The team visited 10 selected schools in the Amansie District namely; SDA Primary Jacobu, R/C Primary Jacobu, Jacobu Experimental, Aboabo D/A School, Patasi Methodist School, Afoako R/C School, Atobiase D/A School, Biribiwomang Basic School, Akrofrom School and Amponya Presbyterian School and screened both the pupils free of charge including teachers.

The entire team performed 471 surgeries and administered 4,030 eye drops and 519 glasses to beneficiaries free of charge.

The people from the two regions have expressed their heart felt gratitude to the Kog Kriationz Network for the benevolence and asked that they spread their tentacle to more of such people in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile the Chief Executive Officer of the Kog Kriationz Network, Mr Eric Owusu Gyimah known in showbiz cycle as Oyokodehye Kofi admonished the people to seek regular checks on their eyes in order to avoid unwanted blindness. He also expressed his profound gratitude to partners such Eye Foundation of America, Banks Apothecary, Oheneba Rice Enterprise, the CEO of Friends Eye Center Dr. Seth Wanye and a host of others for their support.

The Eye Screening and Surgery Project took place from May 17 to June 3, 2024, aimed at providing free eye care services to children and adults in northern region. This project was conducted to help improve vision and address eye health issues among those who may not have easy access to such services.

The project team visited 18 schools and 6 communities, covering three districts in the Northern Region of Ghana. The schools include Zabzugu D/A Girls School, Zabzugu D/A JHS, Tuvugu D/A JHS, Rajia JHS, Kalegu D/A JHS, Our Lady Peace JHS, EPTC JHS, English/Arabic JHS, Presby JHS, St Kizito JHS, Model Girls JHS, Don Theobild JHS, SDA School, Hulafada Islamic School, New Nkanchina School, Issahkiya E/A JHS, and Kpandai JHS and the communities include Yendi, Gushegu, Chereponi, Zabzugu-Tatale, Bimbila, Kpandai and Saboba.

Screenings:

Approximately 3,210 children and adults were screened for various eye conditions, ranging from minor vision issues to more severe eye health challenges.

Surgeries:

A total of 742 free eye surgeries were successfully conducted. These surgeries helped restore or improve vision for those in need.

Eye Drops and Glasses Distribution:

We distributed about 3,314 eye drops to assist in maintaining healthy eyes and provided 351 glasses to beneficiaries who required vision correction.

Impact:

The project brought substantial benefits to the communities. Many individuals who previously struggled with impaired vision are now experiencing improved sight, enabling them to pursue their daily activities with greater ease. The beneficiaries expressed immense gratitude, and it was heartwarming to witness their joy and satisfaction.

Conclusion:

The Eye Screening and Surgery Project was a great success, positively impacting the lives of thousands of individuals. This initiative not only addressed immediate eye health needs but also raised awareness about the importance of regular eye care. We look forward to continuing similar projects in the next year to reach even more individuals in need of eye care services.

Kog Kriationz Network is leading Accra based non-governmental organization with the main objective of eliminating avoidable blindness has collaborated with the Ghana Health Service together with some other highly recognized NGOs to mark this year’s world sight day in Cape Coast where individual and organization who have excelled in issues relating the sight were honoured.

These include The Ophthalmologist of the year, Dr Seth Lartey of Konfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Optometrist of the year, Dr Zakarea Al-Hassan Balure of Upper West Regional Hospital, Ophthalmic Nurse of the year Mr Isidore Badiel of Jirapa Hospital, Optician of the year, Mr. Joseph Ndego of Tamale Teaching Hospital, and Eye Health Special Award went to Seeing is Believing/Standard Chartered.

Statistic has it that 222,000 people are blind in Ghana as Cataract is the leading with 54.8%. Glaucoma is said to have recorded 19.4%. hence a policy by the Ghana Health Service to screen every child of School going age at the early stage in order to minimize issue of eye related cases.

The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Kwamena Duncun who was the guest of honour pledge his support to ensure that people have very good eye sight and clear vision in Ghana.

In an interview with Mr. Eric Owusu Gyimah (Oyokodehye Kofi) the CEO of Kog Kriationz Network, he reiterated their commitment to partner with Ghana Health Service to recognize and reward more of Eye Health Professional for selfless and dedication towards avoidable blindness annually.

19 individuals and organizations which have excelled in eye care delivery have been awarded as part of activities marking the 2018 world sight day in Ghana.

The event which was organized by the kog kriationz network a non-governmental organization in collaboration with Ghana Heath Service was under the theme eye care everywhere. The main objectives of this year’s award was to motivate the people to continue with their tremendous supports towards eye care and also urge others to emulate their good work.

n his key note address, the Director of institutional Care Division of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea stated that a total of 207,200 Ghanaians and 299,600 are seriously sick with visual impairment are as a result of irregular checks on the eye and lack of early treatment whenever something unusual is detected with the eye. He also stressed that cataract is the leading cause of blindness with 111,888 people affected. He said the situation is likely to go worst if the world continues to pay less attention to the eye which happens to be the window and light to the human body

Dr. Akoriyea therefore admonished the citizenry to embark on periodic checks on the eye so as to eliminate avoidable blindness.

The chief executive officer of kog kriationz network, Mr Eric Owusu Gyimah also used the occasion to elaborate the activities of his NGO which he said is focused on awareness creations and issues relating to avoidable blindness. He declared that this award scheme instituted by the KOG Kriationz Network is not going to be a nine-day wonder but an annual scheme to motivate and encourage hard working and deserving people in the eye health delivery

He said the organization has so far carried out 746 free surgeries in 9 out of the 10 regions of Ghana after screening uncountable number of people and gave out free eye glasses as well as eye drop as he also stressed the need for regular checks on the eye.

Meanwhile individuals and organizations that were awarded include;

Special Eye Care Award – Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea – Director ICD, Ghana Health Service
Noble Woman for Eye Care in Ghana - Dr Gloria Quansah Asare – Deputy Director, Ghana Health Service
Eye Care Personality - Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare – Director General, Ghana Health Service
Best ophthalmologist – Dr. Gladys Fourdjour - Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Best optometrist – Dr. Isaac Boamah - Ho Regional Hospital
Best ophthalmic nurse – Mrs. Comfort Kyei-Cobbina - Sunyani Regional Hospital
Best optician – Mr. Prince Asenso-Antwi - Koforidua Regional Hospital,
Best Administrator – Mrs Gifty Boafo - Eye Care Unit of Ghana Health Service

Institutions and NGOs;

Ophthalmic Nursing School-Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Orbis, Swiss Red Cross, Standard Chartered-Seeing is Believing Project, Operation Eyesight Universal, Sightsavers, Himalayan Cataract Project, Oheneba Kasempa Enterprise, Eye Foundation of America, Friends Eye Centre and Spintex Chemist.