NPP Leadership Rebuts Kennedy Agyapong’s Afari Hospital Claims as National Infrastructure Projects Gain Momentum

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership has moved swiftly to counter allegations by former presidential aspirant Kennedy Agyapong regarding the status of the Afari Military Hospital. While Mr. Agyapong criticized the government for failing to operationalize the 500-bed facility during its tenure, several high-ranking officials and fact-checkers have provided evidence to the contrary. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, and Richard Ahiagbah, NPP Director of Communications, clarified that the project has advanced from 40% completion in 2017 to approximately 98% by early 2025. Officials noted that over $180 million has been invested, with only an estimated $500,000 in civil works remaining. The party maintains that the narrative of abandonment is populist and ignores the significant financial commitments made to ensure the facility's eventual completion.

Parallel to the health sector debate, the government has announced major milestones in the nation’s transport infrastructure. President John Dramani Mahama revealed that over 70 kilometers of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway have been cleared by the 48th Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, exceeding initial estimates. This project is designed to reduce the travel distance between Ghana's two largest cities from 270 kilometers to 198 kilometers, potentially cutting travel time to just two hours. Additionally, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, assured Parliament that all outstanding arrears to contractors for the Tema Motorway project have been settled. This financial clearance is expected to remove all bottlenecks and expedite the completion of this vital transport corridor linking the capital to the nation’s primary port.

In the Western North Region, political and traditional leaders are reporting similar progress on localized infrastructure. Mr. Michael Aidoo, the NDC Western North Regional Chairman, expressed confidence in the timely completion of road projects under the "Big Push" initiative, specifically highlighting the Enchi to Pekyi road. He also commended the development of nine 24-hour economy markets in the region, such as the Nsawora market, which is slated for completion within 18 months. These projects are framed as essential drivers for local economic growth and job creation for the youth, signaling a broader strategy to integrate rural economies into the national grid through improved logistics and trade hubs.

To ensure the longevity of these new developments, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has inaugurated a 16-member Bitumen Technical Committee. Led by CEO Godwin Kudzo Tameklo and chaired by Abass Tasunti, the committee is tasked with creating the first dedicated regulatory framework for Ghana’s bitumen industry. By establishing strict guidelines for the importation, storage, and quality assurance of bitumen, the government aims to ensure that all road construction materials meet international standards. This move is expected to prevent the premature deterioration of new roads, providing a sustainable foundation for the country's ambitious infrastructure agenda and ensuring better value for taxpayer investments.