Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has announced the NPP government failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital. This project, located in the Ashanti Region, remained unfinished despite the party spending eight years in power. Mr. Agyapong made these remarks after donating equipment to the Ghana Police Service on June 16.
Mr. Agyapong stated the NPP did not take the necessary steps to make the facility operational. He served as chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee at the time. The former Assin Central Member of Parliament emphasized that issues like these should transcend political affiliations, focusing instead on Ghana’s overall development.
This failure exemplifies a recurring challenge in Ghana, where significant infrastructure projects often face delays or abandonment. Successive governments frequently inherit and sometimes stall projects initiated by previous administrations. This trend impacts public service delivery and raises concerns about efficient use of taxpayer money. The Afari Hospital is one of many projects that have spanned multiple political cycles without full completion.
Mr. Agyapong specifically recalled the hospital's foundation laid during former President John Agyekum Kufuor's administration. He noted that major construction occurred under a subsequent National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. "This hospital was started by President John Agyekum Kufuor. The locations and all those things," he stated. "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."
The former lawmaker also criticized attempts to place blame solely on the current NDC administration, which has only been in office for about 15 months. He highlighted the NPP's eight-year tenure as ample time for completion. "We were there for eight years, and we didn’t do it," he asserted, pushing for accountability from both major parties. This sentiment underscores a growing public demand for political leaders to prioritize national progress over partisan interests.
The lack of completion for the Afari Military Hospital carries significant implications for Ghana's healthcare infrastructure. This facility was intended to serve both military personnel and civilians in the Ashanti Region. Its non-operational status means a critical medical resource remains inaccessible to thousands of Ghanaians. Decision-makers must now address the financing and political will needed to finally bring the hospital into full use.
The situation also points to deeper issues regarding due diligence and project management within government. Mr. Agyapong recounted that attempts by his committee to inspect the facility were obstructed. This suggests potential roadblocks within the bureaucracy and a lack of transparency. Ghanaians will be watching closely to see if his outspoken critique will spur concrete action from political leaders and accelerate the hospital's completion.