The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has announced that the Finance Ministry has secured €50 million in local funding for the reconstruction of La General Hospital.
The hospital was demolished in 2020 due to structural defects, and work on the reconstruction project has not yet begun.
In a briefing to Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Agyemang-Manu stated that the Finance Ministry had identified a local alternative funding source for the project.
He added that “the President directed the Ministers of Trade and Industry, Health and Finance to find alternative sources of funding to recommence the project,” and that the Minister of Finance has now identified funds locally to continue the project with the same simple work scope but a reviewed price of €50 million.
The Health Minister also noted that processes were underway to ensure contractor payment, and that work would commence in earnest soon.
However, the Minority in Parliament criticized the Minister for failing to provide clear timelines on when work will resume on the project.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, has dismissed the Health Minister’s claim, labelling it as deceptive, given the track record of unfulfilled promises.
In response to these accusations, Agyemang-Manu, the Health Minister, defended the government, stating that his claims were not an attempt to deceive the public. He further explained that the government had good intentions when they pulled down the building, and they would work to give La the hospital it deserves.
