Former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has expressed concern over the continued delay in making the Afari Military Hospital fully operational, describing the situation as a major setback for Ghana's healthcare sector.
Speaking to journalists after donating a pickup truck and 15 motorcycles to the Ghana Police Service at the Accra Regional Police Headquarters on Tuesday, June 16, Mr. Agyapong said the facility should have been completed and functioning years ago, considering the substantial investment made in the project.
The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant noted that the Afari Military Hospital was conceived as a strategic healthcare facility intended to serve both military personnel and civilians in the Ashanti Region and beyond.
Reflecting on the project's history, he explained that groundwork for the hospital began during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, while significant construction activities were undertaken under a subsequent National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Despite these efforts, Mr. Agyapong said the project failed to reach completion even after the NPP assumed office.
Criticism of NPP Administration
In a rare admission, the former lawmaker criticised his own party's handling of the project, stating that the NPP administration did not do enough to ensure the hospital became operational during its eight years in government.
“This hospital was started by President John Agyekum Kufuor. The locations and all those things. NDC came to start it, and when we came, I am NPP, and I am telling you the gospel truth. I was the chairman for Defence and Interior, and we didn’t do anything.” - Mr. Agyapong
Mr. Agyapong further disclosed that attempts by Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee to inspect the facility during his tenure were unsuccessful.
“When we decided to go and inspect Afari, they stopped us. I heard somebody saying the Afari Hospital has been there for 15 months, but we were there for eight years and didn’t do it,” he added.
His remarks come amid renewed public interest in the status of the Afari Military Hospital, which many stakeholders believe could significantly improve access to quality healthcare services in the Ashanti Region.
The comments are also expected to reignite discussions about accountability, project continuity and the timely completion of major public infrastructure projects. As pressure mounts, many Ghanaians will be looking to government authorities for clear timelines on when the facility will finally begin full operations.
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