The Minority on the Defence and Interior Committee has indicated that the Afari Military Hospital project currently stands at an overall completion rate of 98%, accusing NDC of “political maneuvering” that caused a six-year delay of the project.
The former deputy defence minister Deputy Ranking, Kofi Amankwa-Manu further disputed the narrative that the project is only 60% complete.
According to him, the false narrative is only being peddled by Government to justify “an outrageous financial demand”, the $85 million debt claim they say is owed the contractor.
“The narrative being peddled that the 500-bed facility is only 60% complete is a fabrication designed to justify an outrageous financial demand.
“Official records from the project implementation committee of which I was the Chair of the Ministry of Defence confirm that as of September 2024, the core hospital was 92.5% complete.
“By January 2025 under the previous administration of the NPP, the overall completion rate stood at an impressive 98%,” he noted.
He maintained that the breakdown of work done on the project is a justification of its near completion status.
“The breakdown of works as of September 2024 speaks for itself. Civil works, core hospital – 97.5%, Architectural works – 87%, Support facilities, staff housing – 77% overall and Roads and land scaping – 80% and 77% respectively,” he stated.
The Minority further rejected claims that the contractor working on the Afari Military Hospital is owed $85 million, stating that the true amount owed the contractor is only $500,000.
Deputy Ranking, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, says the 85 million-dollar claim by the Deputy Defence Minister, Brogya Genfi, is only an attempt to abuse public purse, vowing the Minority’s readiness to block any such payment.
Addressing the press in Parliament on Tuesday, June 16, he noted that government must ensure that the remaining 2% of the project is completed.
“The Deputy Minister’s assertion that the contractor, EDI is demanding $85 million before returning to site is a manufactured crisis. Let the records be clear no records at the Ministry of Finance supports this outrageous claim,” he stated.
According to the Minority, the financial facts surrounding the project are; the full payment of original contract sum of $180 million, which was a loan.
The negotiated additional funding of $19.3 million that is from the GoG for delays has been fully paid.
Out of the subsequent $3 million claim negotiated down from over $6.5 million, $2.5 million has been paid.
“The only outstanding amount owed to the contractor is $500, 000,” the Minority indicated.
