The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured contractors working on the reconstruction of the La General Hospital in Accra of the government’s commitment to ensure the timely payment of their Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs).
He gave the assurance during an inspection visit to the hospital site, where he reaffirmed that the government had already made a significant budgetary allocation for the completion of the project.
Speaking during the inspection, Hon. Akandoh disclosed that the Ministry of Finance is currently processing the contractors’ IPCs for payment. He noted that he had personally followed up on the matter and received assurances that the payments would be expedited.
“As we have indicated, the Honourable Deputy Minister of Local Government is my colleague in Parliament, and this is actually not my first time coming to this site. I have been here before, but with a different identity.
“I was then the Ranking Member of the Health Committee of Parliament. We have seen your IPCs you have raised, and we have since forwarded the IPCs to the Ministry of Finance, and so the Ministry of Finance is working on your IPCs”.
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He further emphasized that the government’s commitment to the La General Hospital project remains unwavering, adding that about GH¢130 million had already been budgeted for the completion of the facility.
“To tell you the truth, an allocation has been made for this project; the government made a budget allocation of about GHS 130 million for this project.
“So it is not a project we are taking lightly at all. We are keenly following the progress so far, and so if you have any challenges, please let us know”.
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Delay not Denial
Hon. Akandoh encouraged the contractors to continue working in good faith while government processes their payments. He assured them that their concerns had been duly noted and that he would personally follow up to ensure that the funds were released soon.
The Health Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the La General Hospital project to the Greater Accra Region’s healthcare system. According to him, the delay in completing the hospital has led to increased pressure on other major health facilities such as the Ridge and LEKMA hospitals, which are now struggling with overcrowding and limited manpower.
“So when we complete the people in the catchment, the load on LEKMA, that is the main reason why I am here, just to appreciate the challenges you are facing and to know the progress so far”.
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Hon. Akandoh also clarified that the delay in payments was due to administrative processes within the Ministry of Finance and not a lack of funding or commitment from the government. He assured the project team that the allocation was already in the system and that payment would soon be effected.
Commitment Project’s Completion
Accompanying the Health Minister on the inspection tour was Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon and Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Hon. Sowah reaffirmed the government’s dedication to completing the hospital within record time, noting that the project had been a priority for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) even before assuming office.
“Like the Honourable Minister said, when we were in opposition, we followed this project keenly, and we haven’t ceased doing that. And so as a government, the government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, with my able Honorable Health Minister and Honorable Ato Forson also at the Finance Ministry, like he said, funds will be released, and our administration will ensure that the project will be completed on record time”.
Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon and Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Hon. Sowah reassured residents of La Dadekotopon that their concerns were well understood and that the government was committed to delivering on its promise to complete the hospital. She also expressed appreciation to her constituency executives who accompanied her to the site and have been monitoring the project’s progress closely.
Although the La General Hospital project was officially commenced in August 2020 by the previous NPP administration, actual construction stalled for several years due to a lack of available funds.
It was only in February 2025, under the new NDC administration led by President John Dramani Mahama, that the project resumed in earnest. The inspection visit marks yet another step in the government’s efforts to restore public confidence in stalled infrastructure projects, particularly in the health sector.
With the completion of the La General Hospital, thousands of residents in the catchment area are expected to gain access to improved healthcare services and reduced congestion at major facilities across Accra.
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