By Collins Sarkodieh 
The long-awaited 500-bed Military Hospital project in Afari, Ashanti Region, remains a focal point of national discussion as stakeholders call for its immediate operationalization.
Recent updates from the Ministry of Defence confirm the project has reached approximately 60% overall completion, though significant work remains to finalize the facility.
According to Deputy Minister of Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi, the project has faced a decade of complex challenges. While civil and architectural works are now nearly 97% complete, the installation of critical biomedical and mechanical systems is lagging significantly at just 5%.
The Ministry attributed these delays to a combination of administrative bottlenecks, previous site abandonment by contractors, and persistent funding hurdles. Disputes over outstanding payments with claims reaching millions of dollars have further complicated efforts to finalize the facility.
Tensions flared recently when members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health were denied entry to the site by military personnel, citing a lack of formal authorization. This incident underscored the growing urgency among lawmakers who view the hospital as a vital solution to the healthcare strain currently affecting the Ashanti Region.
The government maintains its commitment to completing the project and is actively reviewing the contract to restart work. The facility, which includes 50 medical and non-medical buildings, 15 operating theaters, and extensive staff housing, represents a significant investment of state resources.
As the nation waits for this hospital to open, the conversation continues to shift toward accountability. Citizens and policy experts alike are demanding a clear, realistic timeline for completion to ensure the facility finally serves its intended purpose.
For now, the Afari Military Hospital stands as both a symbol of hope for regional healthcare and a stark reminder of the challenges involved in managing major national infrastructure projects to completion.
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Source: Ghananewspage.com