Despite reneging on its duty to repair and renovate the almost 70 year old dilapidated Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital building, the past government was collecting duties on all items purchased outside Ghana to commence the comprehensive renovation works being done on the facility.

Speaking to newsmen, Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo Hiahene and member of the Heal Komfo Anokye Project (HeKaP) Committee expressed worry about the attitude of government.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Prof Addai-Mensah,CEO of KATH  during the inspection of the project

He noted that originally government should have been the one carrying out the renovation works and borne the cost of same since that was urgently needed to put the health facility in good shape.

“Otumfuo is impressed with the high quality of renovation works at KATH by the HeKaP committee but for us we believe government could have taken off duties on items being used for the project so that we could be able to have some more cash to do other needed works here”, the Hiahene stated

Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo Hiahene and member of the Heal Komfo Anokye Project (HeKAP)

Appeal:

The Hiahene therefore appealed to the incoming Health Minister and government to see to how they could help out in taking away cost of duties on items purchased for the renovation project.

The Chief said if the committee was able to achieve this goal, it would be in a good position to apply the solicited funds to works needed to be done on the project.

The Otumfuo Hiahene said to avoid unduly delays of the project, the committee decided to pay the duties on the items just so they could use it to carry out works needed to be done on the facility.

“The committee decided to pay the hefty duties on the items for the renovation so that such did not delay the work we intended to do but it would have been nice if the previous government had seen wisdom and helping out”, the Chief stressed.

Project Committee Chairman:
Mr Sammy Adu-Boakye, HeKaP Committee Chairman speaking on the matter said they needed to commence the project on time and decided to use both high quality local or imported items.

This, he noted made them to take a decision to bear the cost of duties at the port so that they could avoid undue delays.

The Ghanaian currency, he noted has suffered depreciation for long and it was untenable to argue with government to take off the duties while the project was being delayed.

“We are happy that we’ve achieved 40% percent rate in our fund raising drive and for us we are committed to applying what we have now to carry out the renovations but would plead with all Ghanaians to contribute to the good course which was launched by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II aimed at putting KATH on its feet”, Mr Adu-Boakye appealed.

BY Michael Ofosu-Afriyie