By Valentia Tetteh
The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over what it describes as escalating costs and alleged mismanagement surrounding the Afari Military Hospital project, warning against any attempt to approve an additional $85 million payment to the contractor.
The concerns follow a visit by members of Parliament’s Health Committee to the yet-to-be-operational 500-bed Afari Military Hospital on June 10, 2026. The MPs expressed disappointment over delays in commissioning the facility, arguing that the situation continues to undermine efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region.
The Minority criticised the government for what it described as the slow pace of completing and operationalising stalled health infrastructure projects across the country and called for urgent action to bring the facilities into service.
Government officials, however, have indicated that the contractor has requested the settlement of alleged arrears amounting to $85 million before work can resume on the project.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, questioned the basis of the financial claims.
“The $85 million is not just mathematically absurd; it is indeed criminal,” he stated, arguing that the amount being discussed raises serious concerns about the financial management of the project.
According to the Minority, the hospital project has been plagued by delays, cost revisions and administrative decisions that have contributed to rising expenditure over the years.
Mr Amankwa-Manu alleged that changes in the project’s location and prolonged implementation periods resulted in additional claims by the contractor, contributing to the current dispute over costs.
He further maintained that although the project was initiated years ago, progress remained slow for an extended period before advancing significantly in later years.
“The Afari Hospital story is a testament to NDC mismanagement,” he said, insisting that the current government should reject what the Minority considers inflated financial claims and instead focus on completing the remaining works without further cost adjustments.
The Minority has vowed to oppose any approval of the disputed amount, stressing the need for accountability and prudent management of public resources.
“We will fiercely resist this scheme. We demand value for money, and we will protect the public purse,” Mr Amankwa-Manu stated.
The Afari Military Hospital project, when completed and operationalised, is expected to serve as a major referral facility for the Ashanti Region and surrounding areas.
