Ghana@60: Committee considers building psychiatric hospital

The committee in charge of the Ghana@60 anniversary is considering a proposal to construct a psychiatric hospital, vice chairman of the committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor has disclosed.

If accepted, he said, the hospital would be classified under the legacy project of the committee, where monuments are to be erected in commemoration of the anniversary. Mr. Jinapor was adding to discussions on TV3 current affairs programme, New Day, on Saturday via the telephone concerning the activities for the anniversary. The programme was also carried live on 3FM 92.7 in Accra and Connect 97.1FM in Takoradi.

There have are concerns about the 20 million cedis the President said the committee is allowed to spend on the anniversary. The amount, President Akufo-Addo, has however noted that it would not come from the consolidated fund, but would be realized from corporate bodies, organisations and individuals’ contributions.

Abu Jinapor who is also the Deputy Chief of Staff admitted that 20 million cedis is not“chickenfeed” to be wasted. “For instance somebody has come to me to propose that we raise money to build psychiatric hospital,” he revealed. “I found it excellent idea and I have tabled it before the committee, if the committee accepts it that could be a project we can embark upon,” he stated, noting that the president would however take a final decision on what the legacy projects would be.

He said the committee has been tasked by the president to find “intelligent mechanisms” to raise patriotism, promote culture and tradition, as well as tell the history of Ghanaians, and tell the history of the country.

These would be in addition to the physical monumental projects that people can point to, all from the 20 million cedis. “Yes one would say that in an economy that we find ourselves, 20 million is not chickenfeed. But if you also proceed on assumption that we are going to spend the 20 million on say food and drinks, and party, then one would come to the conclusion that this is just too much, but that is not what is going to happen,” Mr. Jinapor explained.