The Deputy Minister for Defence, Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, has outlined the challenges that have delayed the completion of the 500-bed Military Hospital at Afari in the Ashanti Region and assured the public that the government is taking steps to revive and complete the project.
According to him, former President John Dramani Mahama cut the sod for the construction of the hospital in March 2014, with the $180 million project expected to be completed within 42 months, by 2018.
Speaking on the status of the project, Mr Brogya Genfi noted that although civil and architectural works had reached about 90 per cent by January 2017, key biomedical and mechanical installations remained outstanding, bringing overall project completion to 57 per cent.
He attributed the prolonged delay to a combination of administrative bottlenecks, mismanagement and neglect over the years, which eventually led to the abandonment of the project site by the contractor.
Mr Brogya Genfi explained that the contractor is currently demanding the settlement of outstanding claims amounting to $85 million before returning to site. The claims comprise $7 million under Claim One and $78 million under Claim Two.
He said the situation was complicated by the abandonment of imported medical equipment at the port, resulting in substantial demurrage charges. Some of the equipment, he disclosed, was eventually auctioned, leading to significant losses to the state.
The Deputy Minister further revealed that while civil and architectural works have now reached 97 per cent completion, overall progress stands at only 60 per cent due to the slow pace of biomedical and mechanical installations, which are estimated at just five per cent completion.
He added that some medical equipment procured for the facility had become obsolete, while warranties on others had expired. In addition, incidents of theft at the project site had resulted in the loss of some equipment and materials.
To address the challenges, Mr Brogya Genfi said the government had re-engaged the contractor, reviewed the contract terms and commenced an assessment of all available medical equipment in the country to facilitate the completion of the project.
As part of measures to safeguard the facility, the project site has been placed under the protection of the Ghana Armed Forces. He therefore urged members of the public to obtain the necessary authorisation before visiting the site.
Mr Brogya Genfi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the hospital and delivering it to the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of the Ashanti Region, stressing that efforts were underway to salvage the project and ensure its timely completion.
