<<Print>>

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has disclosed that the 88 Hospitals set to be constructed by the government have changed to 111.

President Akufo-Addo during his eighth COVID-19 address to the nation revealed that his administration will be constructing hospitals in some 88 districts across the country.

“There are 88) districts in our country without district hospitals; we have six (6) new regions without regional hospitals; we do not have five infectious disease control centres dotted across the country; and we do not have enough testing and isolation centres for diseases like COVD-19. We must do something urgently about this. That is why Government has decided to undertake a major investment in our healthcare infrastructure, the largest in our history. We will, this year, begin constructing 88 hospitals in the districts without hospitals,” he said.

88 metamorphosis to 111

Ken Ofori-Atta speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi on the back of the Mid-Year Budget presentation on Peace FM said government has increased the 88 to 111.

He said the 600m allocated for the construction of all the hospitals is ready.
 
"It’s going to be a landmark construction . . . this will be constructed by only Ghanaian contractors . . . the money will be raised here; GHC600m has already been put down . . . and so we are ready. Per my last report, 60 to 80 districts have already brought their allocated lands," he said.




$15million for each hospital

The Finance Minister has also revealed the amount of money to be spent on each hospital.

"Each hospital will cost $15million and this includes construction and equipment. The money is already there and it’s left with the technical people to start," he said.


NPP/NDC Contractors

There is an allegation that any government in power uses contractors close to them.

Asked whether the same will be applied to these projects, Finance Minister said "it's time we get over this cynicism".

"It’s not a matter of the party you belong to but how efficient and qualified you are . . . we have to get over the cynicism and know that we are building a country where qualification counts for something," he added.