A Ranking Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has described as sheer wickedness on the side of government for abandoning a 120-bed hospital project in Kumawu.
A displeased Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated that the deteriorating site, surrounded by weeds and unused building materials, is unfortunate and will cause the state more money to fix.
According to him, the government has no excuse, whatsoever, for not continuing the project started by the previous government. `
“Look at what is going on here. You and I will have to pay the loan for this particular facility and we are leaving it to rot away. I mean to the extent that some have even been completed but there are weeds all over. Some of the materials are even burnt. The storms have taken some of the roofs off.” He said.
To him, it is a sign of immaturity, explaining that such an important facility should not be politicized.
“This is what the NPP inherited, not a single block has been added to it. You have a mandate of four years and you have done three years and you are still giving excuses of completing this particular infrastructure and people are dying? And there is so much traffic at Akomfo Anokye? Why are we doing this to ourselves?”
He further added, “Let’s put the politics aside. Somebody must answer questions. And quickly because we want to do PR and as usual NPP NDC you have someone run to the site and come and meet us and give excuses.”
Akandoh, has resolved to summon the sector Minister before Parliament to answer questions on the project.
That is why we have come here for firsthand information. In fact I didn’t know how serious the situation was. I can assure you right from here, we’re doing statements and filing questions. Somebody must answer.”
Meanwhile, the Nseniehene of the Kumawu Traditional area, Nana Obeng Darko Acheampong demanded that work on the project be restarted to save lives.
Lamenting to the media on the predicament, “This district can only boast of one polyclinic which is manned by just one medical doctor. There are few health personnel who help the doctor run the polyclinic. Our fear is that in a situation where this medical doctor is not available at work, what will we do? This is why we are appealing to the authorities to complete this hospital. The hospital will not only benefit the people of Kumawu but also benefit parts of Afram plains, Drobonso, Agogo and Kwaman.”
Background
The Minister for Health Kwaku Agyemang Manu at the Health Ministry’s Meet-the-Press session in May announced deadlines for the completion of some health facilities in the country.
The hospitals were part of the many uncompleted health facilities highlighted by Citi FM in its campaign for the completion of all abandoned and uncompleted hospitals last year.
On the construction of the seven district hospitals under the NMS Infrastructure valued at US$175 million, the presidency responded to Citi FM and OccupyGhana’s petition noting that construction had commenced in earnest on all sites.
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