The Finance Ministry has successfully secured €50 million in local funding to kickstart the reconstruction of La General Hospital, as announced by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu.
The hospital, which was demolished in 2020 due to structural defects, is now set to undergo reconstruction, with the financing hurdle seemingly overcome.
During a briefing to Parliament on Tuesday, Minister Agyemang-Manu revealed that the Finance Ministry had identified a local alternative funding source for the project.
This announcement comes after the President’s directive during the 37th cabinet session, instructing the Ministers of Trade and Industry, Health, and Finance to explore alternative funding avenues to restart the project.
The Health Minister assured that the reconstruction project would maintain the same work scope, albeit with a reviewed price tag of €50 million. He further stated that processes were underway to facilitate the payment of the contractor and work on the reconstruction would commence promptly.
“At the 37th session of the cabinet, the president directed the Ministers of Trade and Industry, Health and Finance to find alternative sources of funding to recommence the project. Through the efforts of the three-man committee, the Minister of Finance has now identified funds locally to continue the project with the same simple work scope but a reviewed price of 50 million Euro,” he said.
However, the Minority in Parliament expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of clear timelines provided by the Health Minister for the resumption of work on the project. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, dismissed the Health Minister’s claims as deceptive, citing a history of unmet assurances.
In response to these criticisms, Minister Agyemang-Manu defended the government’s actions, emphasizing that the intention was not to deceive the public.
He acknowledged the demolition of the hospital with good intentions and expressed confidence that the government would work diligently to provide La General Hospital with the facilities it deserves.
