The woman behind Josey’s Health Corner wants community service to go further

Six years can be a long time in community work.

For Josephine Nyankwayeh Bempong, six years have meant moving from health education to community outreach, screening, advocacy and social support.

They have also meant learning that changing lives often requires patience.

Josephine is the founder of Josey’s Health Corner, a platform that has grown around her belief that healthcare information should be available beyond the traditional medical setting.

Her background gives her a strong connection to the issue.

She trained as a Physician Assistant at Presbyterian University, Ghana, graduating in 2018 before gaining professional experience at Achimota Hospital and Legon Hospital.

But instead of keeping her knowledge within clinical practice, she began looking for ways to communicate it to wider audiences.

Radio became a platform.

Television became a platform.

Social media became a platform.

Churches and community gatherings became platforms too.

Over time, the work expanded into community service.

Josey’s Health Corner has been involved in initiatives combining health education with practical support, including an outreach to the Village of Hope Orphanage in Gomoa Fetteh.

Josephine has also continued to develop professionally.

Her Master of Public Health at Ensign Global University allowed her to examine health challenges from a wider community perspective. Her research focused on adults living with diabetes and hypertension in Ashaiman.

That combination of clinical experience, public health education and community engagement has shaped her current vision.

As Josey’s Health Corner marks six years, the organisation is preparing for its November project, Mind Strong.

The initiative will focus on 200 students of Tamale School of Business, while the Widows Embrace component will provide support to 100 vulnerable widows.

Health screening and education will also form part of the wider programme.

For Josephine, the project represents more than an anniversary celebration.

It is an opportunity to bring different aspects of her work together.

Youth development.

Health education.

Social support.

Community service.

She is now looking to stakeholders who can help take the work further.

Businesses, health institutions, NGOs, development organisations, educational institutions, media organisations and individuals all have opportunities to contribute.

After six years of service, Josephine is not presenting community change as a finished achievement.

She is treating it as work that must continue.