The Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobbina Tahir Hammond, has emphatically reassured the public of the government’s unwavering commitment to reconstruct the La General Hospital.
The disclosure comes in response to recent claims by Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, suggesting delays in the project due to the withdrawal of sponsors.
Mr. KT. Hammond addressed the concerns during an interview stating, “The President and Cabinet, a few days ago, have taken a clear decision that the Hospital is going to be constructed in its original design as provided to the contractor.”
The reassurance follows Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s disclosure in Parliament on last Tuesday regarding purported delays attributed to sponsors pulling out from the hospital reconstruction project.
“There has been this rambling issue about La General Hospital, but it is fake. My understanding is that it’s out there in the public that the government has broken its promise to reconstruct the hospital,” KT. Hammond remarked.
He questioned the accuracy of the information put forth by the Majority Leader, suggesting that he might not have been present at the recent meeting where decisions were made.
“Some years back in 2019/2020, it became apparent that the structure of the La hospital was so poor, some sort of dilapidation and was difficult for the doctors, nurses, and, of course, patients. So a decision was made that it had to be demolished and a new one constructed,” explained Hammond.
Acknowledging past financing challenges that prolonged the process, Hammond assured the public that the President and Cabinet had recently made a decisive commitment to proceed with the reconstruction of La General Hospital in its original design.
“The finance minister is committed to raising the money to make sure that the edifice is put up the way it was originally designed, and it will be as beautiful as it was designed. The indigenes should relax because the government is committed to making sure the hospital is reconstructed,” Hammond affirmed.
The government’s renewed commitment aims to dispel any misinformation surrounding the La General Hospital reconstruction, ensuring that the project proceeds as planned for the benefit of the community. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the commencement of construction of the La General Hospital Redevelopment Project in August 2020 after it was razed down.
It was reported the redevelopment project is being financed by a credit facility from Standard Chartered Bank of the United Kingdom, with an export credit guarantee from Sinosure of the People’s Republic of China to the tune of €68 million, with an insurance cover of €3,860,349.18.
However, since the sod cutting, the project has stalled prompting protests from people of La and adjourning districts and members of the public who make use of the facility.
