Timelines are essential to the delivery of an agreed projected, and most often than not, the timely nature to which a project is effected is necessary to the growth of not just an establishment but its benefit to the people of the community.
Over the period, the lackadaisical nature of government has been called out by citizens particularly because of deferred or delayed implementation of a project which is necessary to the very survival of people.
When that project is a health facility, it becomes even more pertinent to any public discourse.
In July 2020, the La General hospital, a vital facility which serves a greater number of Ghanaians in the La enclave was demolished after the hospital’s administration in 2015 reported of severe structural problems.
President Akufo-Addo on August 10, 2020, cut the sod for the commencement of construction of the La General Hospital Redevelopment Project.
The delay in constructing the project outraged residents, further seeing Member of Parliament for La Dadekotpon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, among others venting their spleen on government.
However, the Public Relations Officer for the Health Ministry, Isaac Baah Ofei, revealed that government was making frantic efforts to get the hospital built, insisting that “Government is seriously working within timelines” and also “seriously pushing for the people of La” to ensure the building of the health facility.
Fast forward to 2023, and with several failed promises over the years since its demolition, the hospital is still yet to see the light of day to serve the La community and residents who desire a health facility.
Slow-paced progress on hospital
In the leadup to the 2024 budget presentation, several petitions were made for parliament to expedite the construction of the hospital. Finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in reading the budget renegotiated the La General Hospital project to be funded through the national budget.
He noted that the contractor is expected back on site the following week to complete a “significant amount of work by 2024”.
Subsequently, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, disclosed that the Finance Ministry secured €50 million in local funding for the reconstruction of the Hospital.
Reacting to this, Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, questioned government’s assurance on the timeline for the start of work on the demolished La General Hospital.
The lawmaker said she does not believe this promise will be met after several failed assurances.
True to form, real active work is yet to be seen by residents on the land, making residents doleful and doubtful of government’s commitment and true intention in seeing to the construction of the hospital.
The Coalition of La Youth Associations in the interim, has cautioned the government to dedicate itself to the reconstruction process of La General Hospital, hinting at underlying doubts about sustained commitment to completing the project.
While recent contractor activity on-site is acknowledged, concerns persist among traders regarding the lack of consistent progress in the construction process.
The spokesperson for the La Youth Association, Jeffery Tetteh, expressed disappointment in the slow-paced nature of work being undertaken with regards to the project.
“We are still not convinced that the government is committed to doing this project. For me and the coalition, we are going to keep an eye on this project, and we are going to assure the media houses that they are going to take a snail’s pace in doing this.”
Jeffery Tetteh
As it stands, government has a lot of expectations to live up to, especially when it comes to absolutely going by its own timelines in completing projects. The La General hospital is just one in the sea of projects government is yet to ultimately complete.
While residents wait with bated breath and anticipate the construction and completion of the project, the onus is on government to embrace a new approach in ensuring the completion of projects.
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