The Presidential Staffer and Medical Doctor, Dr Sammy Ayeh has explained the long history surrounding the Afari hospital project and outlined how funding arrangements, site changes and contractual obligations influenced its current state. He traced the development of the Ghana Nine Hospital Project, noting that approvals and financing arrangements evolved under successive administrations.
The project, which included Wa Hospital, Sewua, Afari and six other district facilities, was initiated in 2008 under President Kufuor with Euroget as the contractor. Attention later shifted to financing gaps after global economic disruptions affected initial funding arrangements.
Dr. Ayeh indicated that subsequent arrangements involved financial instruments issued in 2014, which enabled continuation of works under President Mahama. He added that by 2016, overall completion had reached about 57 percent, although civil works were significantly more advanced.
He further explained that repeated relocation of the project site created operational and financial implications for the contractor. The initial plan shifted across Sofoline, Tamale, 37 and later Afari, a process he described as consequential for project execution planning.
“The project moved through several locations over time and each shift required adjustments to engineering design and logistics. The contractor had to revise work schedules and relocate equipment across multiple sites. These changes created additional financial obligations that were later assessed in claims submitted to government. The overall process reflects how infrastructure decisions influence contract performance and cost structures.”
Dr Samuel Ayeh
Dr. Ayeh further noted that the contractor submitted a claim of 30 million dollars linked to these adjustments, which was later subjected to negotiation under a new administration. He explained that the claim was reviewed and reduced following institutional processes involving state approval channels.
He referenced that executive approval was later granted for a revised settlement figure of 19 million dollars under President Akufo-Addo, with documentation processed through official government channels. He also highlighted that parliamentary scrutiny followed the approval, leading to further assessment of value for money considerations.
He added that audit engagement by Crown Agents concluded that the justified valuation stood at 6.9 million dollars instead of the negotiated 19 million dollars. He stressed that this divergence is central to ongoing institutional discussions on the contract.
Audit Review and Payment Dispute Influence Hospital Completion Narrative
Dr. Sammy Ayeh outlined how parliamentary review and independent valuation changed the trajectory of financial decisions. He explained that after the negotiated settlement was presented to Parliament, the Minority raised objections and called for a value for money audit. The audit was subsequently conducted by Crown Agents to reassess the financial claims.
Dr. Ayeh stated that the audit report concluded a significantly lower valuation than the approved settlement figure, creating further deliberations within government structures. He noted that the findings became a reference point in ongoing financial assessments of the project.
“The independent audit assessment determined a value that differed substantially from the negotiated settlement. The report provided technical justification for a lower payment threshold based on project evaluation metrics. This outcome introduced another layer of review into the contractual payment process. Institutional actors then had to reconcile audit recommendations with existing agreements.”
Dr Sammy Ayeh
He further indicated that arguments later emerged over the level of completion of the hospital, with differing views on operational readiness. He stressed that while some reports suggested near completion, key components such as medical equipment remained largely incomplete.
Dr. Ayeh explained that only a small proportion of equipment has been installed, affecting the facility’s ability to function fully. He added that equipment accounted for a significant portion of the total contract value, making the gap critical to operationalisation.
He also referenced correspondence from Euroget in 2024 indicating outstanding payments, including a claimed balance of 6.5 million dollars and additional financial claims linked to delays. The communication outlined accumulated costs arising from extended timelines and project disruptions.
He noted that further claims included delay-related costs and additional charges amounting to 78 million dollars, reflecting prolonged contractual engagement. He stressed that payment timelines had extended beyond initial expectations, resulting in continued correspondence between parties.
He added that discussions in 2025 reiterated the existence of outstanding obligations, reinforcing the financial complexities surrounding the project. He emphasised that the contractual history is central to understanding the current state of the hospital development process.
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