Samaria Ayemye Mma Som

Here is the history of the remarkable charity organization which has operated in Ghana for several decades now. Join our conversation with the Founder, Mr Charles D. K. Amankwaah.

Where was SAMS established?

Samreboi. Located in the Western region in Ghana.

Why was SAMS formed?

I joined Samatex (formerly African Timber & Plywood - AT & P) timber company and met an unfortunate event. One faithful day, as I was modeling a panel frame, a 3-inch nail freeing itself from the timber piece found its way into my left eyeball.

I was rushed to the hospital and spent fifty four (54) days there. My experiences at the hospital was preparing me for the duties that would be ahead of me. I spent countless times witnessing the death of patients admitted and wondered to myself,
Why would people who come to seek treatments lose their live so easily? Was it because doctors have no medication for their illness?

It was later I realized that the major cause of death for patients was on the basis of:

Lack of proper diet

Lack of proper counseling

When was SAMS established?

Having served patients at AT & P (which is now known as Samatex) Hospital for six (6) years, SAMS was inaugurated September 21, 1980. Agatha Asante, Beatrice Arthur-Gyan and I continued serving destitute patients at Samatex Hospital until 1995 where the journey to transform SAMS's vision started.

SAMS was recognized as an NGO in Ghana on January 6, 2010.

How was SAMS formed?

I knew no matter how well intended our health professionals were, the recovery rate of patients would drastically be affected by the above points. I decided there and then, that in my own little way I would help destitute patients admitted to the AT & P hospital.

I kept my word and after I was discharged from the hospital. After I resumed work, I paid patients at the AT & P hospital a visit twice every week.

I was blessed with another individual, Agatha Asante, who cared and had sincere desires to help such a cause. Together we carried this duty, this heavy duty, caring for the needy patients, on our shoulders. Agatha and I caried out this charity work for 6 years without seeking assistance from anyone or telling anyone about what we had started.

Later, when I had to travel abroad, to treat my eye condition, I paid a visit to Beatrice Arthur-Gyan, who advised me to extend the care we provided to the needy by formally registering as a charity organization. Thanks to the advice she gave me, SAMS was conceived to be shaped into what it is today.

SAMS was established initially with the aim of supplying meals and medication to the patients who had no relatives or means to provide for them. Clothing was also provided for children at the various hospitals we visited.

A message from Charles,

My heart's desire is to commit my whole life to the service I feel I have been called upon to carry out! For this reason I established SAMS, seeking out the task which others prefer to avoid.