Illegal mining activities have taken over portions of the stalled Agenda 111 hospital project at Adansi Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, raising fears among residents that the development could compromise the integrity of the nearly completed facility and expose the area to future flooding.
The residents have, therefore, appealed to the relevant authorities to halt the mining activities and safeguard the multimillion-cedi health infrastructure from further destruction.
The hospital, which forms part of the Agenda 111 programme initiated in 2021 to provide district hospitals in underserved areas, is estimated by residents to be about 90 per cent complete.
Construction, however, came to a standstill following the change of government, leaving the facility abandoned for several months.
The prolonged inactivity has resulted in the project site becoming overgrown with weeds and serving as a habitat for reptiles, while sections of the land have reportedly been invaded by illegal miners.
Residents told news men that operators of the illegal mining activity had deployed heavy earth-moving equipment onto portions of the hospital grounds, excavating the area and creating deep pits that pose serious environmental and safety concerns.
They warned that if the situation was allowed to continue, it could weaken the surrounding land and increase the risk of flooding, particularly during the rainy season, thereby threatening the future operation of the hospital.
Residents described the development as unfortunate, considering the huge public investment made in the project.
They expressed disappointment that a facility intended to improve healthcare delivery in the district had instead become the target of illegal mining activities due to its abandonment.
They further noted that the mining operations were taking place within close proximity to critical public institutions, including the Adansi Asokwa District Police Headquarters, the District Assembly, the District Court and other government offices, all located within about 100 metres of the project site.
According to them, the situation raises serious questions about enforcement of the law, especially as the District Assembly, headed by the District Chief Executive who also chairs the District Security Council (DISEC), is situated directly opposite the mining site.
The residents have, therefore, called on the government, security agencies and other regulatory institutions to intervene urgently, stop the illegal mining activities and ensure the completion of the hospital project to serve its intended purpose.
