The National Democratic Congress in the Ashanti Region has attributed the 120-bed district hospitals in Kumawu and Fomena, which is set to be commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to former President John Dramani Mahama.
Abass Nurudeen, Esq., the opposition National Democratic Congress Ashanti Regional Communication Officer, in a detailed statement strongly contended that the two hospitals were initiated by former President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the ruling New Patriotic Party administration of deliberately halting the completion of the projects.
“These two hospitals, which started in 2015 and were expected to be completed in 2017, are among President Mahama’s towering legacy projects in the Ashanti Region.
‘These projects were part of a $175 Million loan facility sourced by the Mahama administration from Barclays Bank Plc, London, and guaranteed by UK Export Finance (UKEF) to construct five District hospitals in Kumawu, Abetifi, Fomena, Garu, and Shai Osudoku).
Abass Nurudeen, Esq., NDC, Ashanti Regional Communication Officer
According to Lawyer Nurudeen, the two hospital projects were a testament to former President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for achieving Universal Health Coverage in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
Initial Vision and Delays
Furthermore, Lawyer Abass Nurudeen pointed out that former President John Dramani Mahama and the erstwhile NDC’s administration strategically located the two hospitals in the Ashanti Region to alleviate the burden on the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the primary referral center for the Northern belt and neighboring Sahelian regions.
He further mentioned that the goal was to bring quality healthcare services closer to residents in the Sekyere and Adansi areas, ensuring that the health needs of these communities were adequately met.
However, the opposition National Democratic Congress Ashanti Regional Communication Officer argued that the disbursement of the remaining $38.8 million required for the projects’ completion was halted immediately after the New Patriotic Party assumed office in 2017.
Lawyer Nurudeen pointed out that the government cited the need for a forensic audit into the utilization of previously disbursed funds, describing the move as “farcical and reckless”.
“This singular act of recklessness on the part of the Akufo Addo/Bawumia NPP government has caused an undue delay to the completion of these projects, leading to the state incurring additional costs.
“It is however refreshing to note that after eight years of delay and having failed the people of the Ashanti Region, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has finally decided to commission these two projects”.
Abass Nurudeen, Esq., NDC, Ashanti Regional Communication Officer
Commenting on President Akufo-Addo’s administration’s preparation to commission these hospitals, Lawyer Abass Nurudeen, the NDC’s Ashanti Regional Communication Officer, accused the government of attempting to claim undue credit for projects initiated by the previous administration.
Lawyer Nurudeen further highlighted the frustration and disappointment of the Ashanti Region’s residents, who have long awaited the completion of these essential healthcare facilities.
He emphasized that the current government’s failure to promptly complete the hospitals has been a disservice to the people of Ashanti, a region considered a stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Lawyer Nurudeen, in conclusion, called for transparency and honesty from the government, urging them to acknowledge the pivotal role of former President John Dramani Mahama in the realization of these two projects.
He also admonished the government to ensure that the two hospitals have been fully equipped and are ready to serve the public as initially intended before their commissioning.
Lawyer Nurudeen, strongly indicated that the National Democratic Congress together with the good people of the Ashanti Region will not tolerate any further delays or deceptive practices regarding these healthcare facilities.
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