Former Minister of Health and one-time Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, has called on the Minister of Health to give a detailed and transparent update on the status of all hospitals under the erstwhile Akufo-Addo’s Agenda 111.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, October 16, Dr. Okoe Boye alleged that the current administration has failed to continue with the hospital projects initiated under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, further cautioning that such a move undermines Ghana’s healthcare system.
“The minister must provide a full update on the status of each facility under construction,” he said.
The former MP averred that any form of further delay in completing the hospital projects will result in the waste of public funds and also deny the citizenry of quality healthcare delivery.
According to him, there are several communities in Ghana that lack health facilities; hence, the need for the government to expedite the completion of these hospitals in marginalized communities.
The former minister also called for a comprehensive audit of all hospital projects initiated under the NPP government.
“Without transparency, we risk wasting resources and denying communities essential healthcare,” he warned.
Dr. Okoe Boye cited the La General Hospital, describing it as a strategic health facility that could ease pressure on other hospitals in Accra.
“Accra’s population has become very big, and the main hospitals cannot contain the numbers, especially when it comes to emergency care,” he said.
“Sometimes when you go to Korle Bu, even to sit on a wheelchair, you can’t get space, and yet we have this strategic facility lying unfinished.”
He noted that the La General Hospital was intended to relieve pressure on the Ridge Hospital, Police Hospital, Lekma Hospital, and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, but construction has stalled.
Dr. Okoe Boye commended the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, for visiting the site on October 10 but questioned the claim that the government had allocated GH¢130 million for the hospital’s completion.
“Let me state categorically that that amount is only an intention, a futuristic allocation. The 2025 budget made provision for GH¢60 million for La General Hospital, but since the budget was read in March, not even one cedi has been paid for this project.”
He added that while he respects the minister, the supposed GH¢130 million allocation “may only be a dream” that has yet to materialize.
“My prayer is that the dream will become a reality,” he said.
Dr. Okoe Boye, speaking on behalf of the Ghana Amalgam for Development, urged the Health Minister to escalate the issue to President John Dramani Mahama and his Cabinet to ensure the immediate release of funds to resume construction.
“The people of La, Korley Klottey,… deserve a functioning hospital, not more promises. Government must move beyond words to action by releasing funds to enable the immediate resumption and completion of the La General Hospital.”
He also called for stakeholder engagement with local authorities and residents of La, Teshie, Nungua, and other parts of the Greater Accra Region, who have received no communication on the project’s progress.
“Since this government came, there has been no meeting with the people of La or the traditional authorities to explain what is happening,” he said.
“We request an immediate stakeholder meeting and a clear roadmap for medium- to long-term funding arrangements so that this ultra-modern hospital becomes a reality.”
Dr. Okoe Boye further accused the government of failing to prioritize nurses, following recent protests over salary arrears.
“The health of our citizens cannot be mortgaged on promises,” he said. “Nurses are the backbone of our health system and must be treated with the dignity they deserve,” he emphasized.