The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has assured that government is expediting work on the Sewua Regional and Afari 38 Military Hospitals to supplement the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
This aims to reduce pressure on the facility, which provides specialist healthcare services not only to people in the Ashanti region but also to those in the northern part of the country.
The hospitals, commenced by the erstwhile John Agyekum Kufuor administration, were nearly completed by the Mills/Mahama governments until Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took over in 2017, leaving them unattended.
Following public backlash over the facilities’ deterioration, President Akufo-Addo commissioned the Sewua facility days before the December 2024 elections, despite some work still needing to be done.
The contractor working on the facility came out to complain that the commissioning violated their terms of agreement since the project had not been completed.
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The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, after assuming office, also promised to ensure the remaining work is completed for the facility to become operational, alongside the Afari Military Hospital.
Dr Amoakohene has reiterated the government’s commitment to completing the two healthcare infrastructures during a courtesy call on him by the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo.
Dr Baidoo had gone to introduce himself to the Minister and request assistance in addressing some of the challenges facing the hospital.
During his Tuesday, May 13, 2025, visit, the Acting CEO reiterated his readiness to work with other leaders to improve the hospital’s infrastructure, equipment, and staff welfare.
He also touched on the housing issue for senior doctors and directors who were asked to vacate their homes due to the Danyame redevelopment project.
He appealed to the Minister to help ensure that these affected staff are provided with new accommodations near the hospital, enabling them to respond quickly to emergency situations.
Dr Amoakohene, in turn, commended the hospital for its commendable work in patient care, medical training, and research.
He assured the hospital management of his support to improve the facility while encouraging Dr. Baidoo to explore innovative solutions to address challenges at the hospital, particularly the persistent overcrowding at the Accident and Emergency Centre.
The new CEO was accompanied by some of the hospital’s directors and administrators, who also briefed the Minister on ongoing projects and areas where they require support from the government and other partners.
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By Felix Anim-Appau, with additional files from Benjamin Aidoo
