Former Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has urged the Minister of Health to provide a detailed and transparent account of the progress of all hospitals currently under construction under the Agenda 111 initiative.
At a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, October 16, Dr. Okoe Boye criticised the government for neglecting health infrastructure projects initiated by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, warning that such inaction is weakening Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.
“The Minister must provide a full update on the status of each facility under construction.”
he said, stressing that the delays in completing these hospitals could lead to waste of public resources and deny citizens critical access to healthcare.
He also called for a comprehensive audit of all health projects started under the NPP government.
“Without transparency, we risk wasting resources and denying communities essential healthcare,” he cautioned.
The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), highlighted the La General Hospital as one of the most strategic yet stalled projects.
“Accra’s population has become very big, and the main hospitals cannot contain the numbers, especially when it comes to emergency care.
“Sometimes when you go to Korle Bu, even to sit in a wheelchair, you can’t get space, and yet we have this strategic facility lying unfinished,” he said.
He explained that the La General Hospital was designed to ease the burden on Ridge Hospital, Police Hospital, LEKMA Hospital, and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, but work on the site has come to a standstill.
While acknowledging the recent site visit by the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on October 10, Dr Okoe Boye questioned claims that GH¢130 million had been allocated for the hospital’s completion.
“Let me state categorically that that amount is only an intention, a futuristic allocation. The 2025 budget made provision for GH¢60 million for La General Hospital, but since the budget was read in March, not even one cedi has been paid for this project,” he clarified.
He added that although he respects the Minister, the supposed GH¢130 million commitment “may only be a dream” for now.
“My prayer is that the dream will become a reality.” he remarked.
Speaking on behalf of the Ghana Amalgam for Development, the former Ledzokuku MP appealed to the Minister to escalate the matter to President John Dramani Mahama and Cabinet for immediate release of funds to restart construction.
“The people of La, Korley Klottey, deserve a functioning hospital, not more promises. Government must move beyond words to action by releasing funds to enable the immediate resumption and completion of the La General Hospital,” he urged.
He further called for stakeholder engagement with residents and traditional leaders in La, Teshie, Nungua, and other surrounding communities, who have been left uninformed about the project’s status.
“Since this government came, there has been no meeting with the people of La or the traditional authorities to explain what is happening.
“We request an immediate stakeholder meeting and a clear roadmap for medium- to long-term funding arrangements so that this ultra-modern hospital becomes a reality,” he lamented.
Dr Okoe Boye also criticised the government’s handling of nurses’ welfare, especially amid protests over unpaid salaries.
“The health of our citizens cannot be mortgaged on promises. Nurses are the backbone of our health system and must be treated with the dignity they deserve.”
Source: Adomonline
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