Afari Hospital Stands at 60% Completion – Deputy Defence Minister

The Afari Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region stands at 60% overall completion, 12 years after sod was cut for the $180 million project, the Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi, has revealed.

In a Facebook post, Brogya Genfi said civil and architectural works on the 500-bed facility have reached 97%, but biomedical and mechanical installations remain at only 5%.

This leaves the hospital far short of operational status despite years of promises.

The Minister disclosed that by January 2017, overall completion was 57%, with civil works at 90%.

Progress has since stalled due to mismanagement, administrative bottlenecks, and contractor abandonment, the Minister said.

“When the new government assumed office, the contractor had abandoned the site, and no work was taking place,” he stated.

The contractor is now demanding $7 million under “Claim 1” and $78 million under “Claim 2” before returning, even though the previous regime claimed all obligations had been settled, he said.

On the way forward, the Deputy Minister said the government had re-engaged the contractor and is reviewing the contract.

Authorities are also assessing all medical equipment available in-country to ensure speedy recovery and completion.

“While we work tirelessly to salvage this project and deliver the hospital to the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of Ashanti, let us be spared the provocations of those who slept on a 3-year project for 8 years,” he added.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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