Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee and Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, has announced plans to initiate legal action against the contractor responsible for the Afari Military Hospital project, citing concerns over alleged contract disputes and significant cost escalation claims.
According to the legislator, he intends to make public what he describes as evidence of actions by the contractor that have contributed to delays and increased financial demands on the government. He says the matter will be pursued in the coming days and insists that political considerations will not influence his approach.
Speaking in an interview, Dr Ayew Afriyie stated that the focus should be on safeguarding public resources and ensuring accountability in the execution of major state-funded infrastructure projects.
He argued that contractors working on public projects must be held accountable for their contractual obligations and accused some of exploiting loopholes in government procurement and contract management systems to seek additional payments beyond agreed project costs.
The MP alleged that the contractor involved in the Afari Military Hospital project had already received substantial payments from the government but is now seeking a significantly higher amount than originally agreed under the contract.
According to Dr Ayew Afriyie, the project was initially valued at approximately $180 million, with payments exceeding $21 million already made. He claimed the contractor is now seeking an additional $85 million through revised cost estimates, a development he believes raises serious questions about value for money and financial oversight.
The lawmaker further indicated that he intends to publicly identify the contractor and present details he believes demonstrate how public infrastructure projects can become vulnerable to excessive cost variations.
He stressed that his decision to pursue the matter is not politically motivated, noting that accountability should remain a priority regardless of which political party is in government.
The Afari Military Hospital project, regarded as one of Ghana’s major healthcare infrastructure investments, has attracted public interest due to its strategic importance to healthcare delivery and military medical services. Any concerns regarding project costs, delays, or contractual disputes are therefore likely to attract significant scrutiny from both policymakers and the public.
Dr Ayew Afriyie maintained that ensuring transparency in the management of taxpayer-funded projects is essential to protecting public funds and restoring confidence in the delivery of critical national infrastructure.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
