fairafric Supports Neonatal Care in Suhum and Surrounding Communities

Born Without a Chance

In rural Ghana, being born too early often means a small chance of survival. Preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is alarmingly common, with rates reaching 14.5%, more than double the European median of 6.9%.

 In some regions of Ghana, nearly 1 in 5 preterm babies do not survive.

In Suhum, where our factory is located, the reality is even more urgent. The Suhum Government Hospital serves more than 5 surrounding communities, yet until recently, its neonatal intensive care unit operated with just one functional incubator. Each month, up to 70% of pre-term babies had to be transferred to the regional capital, over 30 kilometres away, mostly on terrible roads.

For many families, this journey was a race against time. For the nurses, it meant putting everything that they had on the line for the baby's survival.

A Sense of Hope

When the hospital reached out to fairafric, we jumped at the opportunity to support. This is the same community many of our team members now call home. The hospital serves our 300+ employees who are committed to changing the status quo in the chocolate industry.

We believe access to quality healthcare should be available to all. As part of our 5th anniversary in March 2025, we committed to supporting the hospital with critical neonatal equipment, including incubators and radiant warmers. It was a promise we were proud to make, together with our partners and chocolate-loving community.

Hope Restored

With the support of our partners and the wider fairafric community, we took the first step toward transforming neonatal care in Suhum. The hospital’s NICU is now equipped with additional incubators, radiant warmers, CPAP machines, and a patient monitor, tools that are already helping to improve survival outcomes for newborns.

Today, expectant mothers can walk into the hospital with renewed confidence, knowing that better care is within reach. What was once a place of uncertainty is now a place of endless future.

The Work Continues

While progress has been made, the need remains. Additional equipment is still required to meet demand fully, and beyond healthcare, challenges in education and infrastructure continue to shape daily life in the community.

For many rural communities in Ghana, the cost of survival often comes at the expense of basic needs. This is what we are working to change. We are committed to being a catalyst for long-term, sustainable impact and helping our farmers and their families live well.

Join us on this journey.

Through your support, we can continue to expand access to healthcare, strengthen education, and build a future where no child is left without a chance. Reach our to the CSR team via csr@fairafric.com