The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing abandoned health facilities across the region to enhance healthcare delivery. His assurance comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen primary healthcare and ensure accessible medical services for residents.
Speaking during an interview on The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV, Dr. Amoakohene emphasized the administration’s renewed focus on primary healthcare infrastructure. He acknowledged that several health projects initiated under previous administrations had been left incomplete, a situation that has hampered access to essential medical services in some communities.
“For healthcare delivery, we will start from the basic—the primary healthcare. In his [John Mahama’s previous tenure] first term, we spent a lot on Community Health-Based Planning Services (CHPS) compounds and health centers. Some were abandoned, so the focus is to complete most of them and make them available,” he stated.
Dr. Amoakohene underscored the importance of preventive healthcare, stressing that empowering communities with essential health information and basic first-aid skills is crucial to reducing the burden on health facilities.
“The preventive aspect of health is one area you cannot do away with. Our public health department needs to be on the field, equipping people with the necessary knowledge and first-aid skills to handle emergencies before reaching a hospital,” he added.
His remarks reflect a broader push to integrate preventive healthcare into the government’s healthcare strategy, recognizing that education and early intervention can significantly reduce the incidence of preventable diseases. By revitalizing abandoned health facilities and strengthening community-based healthcare services, the administration aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access, especially in underserved areas.
The initiative is expected to bring relief to residents who have long struggled with inadequate healthcare services due to the abandonment of key projects. Many communities, particularly in rural parts of the Ashanti Region, have had to rely on distant facilities, making timely medical intervention difficult.
The Minister’s assurance aligns with the government’s broader health policy objectives, which prioritize expanding healthcare infrastructure, increasing medical personnel, and ensuring that every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare regardless of their location. The commitment to completing CHPS compounds and health centers signifies a deliberate effort to bring healthcare services closer to the people, reducing the pressure on larger hospitals and improving overall healthcare outcomes.
Residents in the region have welcomed the government’s renewed attention to abandoned health projects, expressing hope that the initiative will lead to tangible improvements in healthcare accessibility. Many have lamented the hardships caused by the stalled projects, with some facilities left at various stages of completion for years.
A resident of Manso Nkwanta, one of the affected communities, shared his concerns about the impact of the delay: “We have a health center that was almost completed, but for years, it has been left untouched. Our pregnant women and sick children have to travel long distances to get medical care. If the government completes these projects, it will be a great relief for us.”
Another resident from Offinso added, “We’ve been hearing promises about abandoned hospitals for a long time. What we need now is action. We hope the Minister’s words will be followed by real work on the ground.”
Dr. Amoakohene acknowledged these concerns, assuring that the government is taking concrete steps to ensure work resumes on these projects. While he did not provide specific timelines, he emphasized that funding and logistical arrangements are being put in place to facilitate the completion of the health centers.
The initiative to complete these projects also ties into the government’s broader efforts to expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and improve the quality of healthcare services. A well-equipped and fully functional primary healthcare system is essential to ensuring that the NHIS delivers on its mandate of making healthcare affordable and accessible to all.
Healthcare professionals in the region have also backed the government’s renewed focus on primary healthcare. A nurse at one of the incomplete CHPS compounds in the Bosomtwe District highlighted the difficulties they face: “We have a facility, but it lacks the necessary equipment and staff quarters. Completing these projects will not only make healthcare more accessible but also improve working conditions for medical staff.”
Medical experts have also pointed out that leaving health facilities abandoned for long periods not only wastes resources but also exposes the infrastructure to deterioration, making it more expensive to complete in the long run. A public health specialist in Kumasi explained, “When a hospital project is abandoned, it doesn’t just pause progress—it reverses it. Equipment left unused deteriorates, buildings develop structural issues, and the overall cost of completing the project rises.”
The concerns of medical professionals reflect a broader need for sustained government investment in healthcare. In recent years, there have been calls for improved allocation of funds to the health sector, with experts emphasizing that well-functioning primary healthcare centers reduce pressure on larger hospitals, enhance early disease detection, and ultimately save lives.
Beyond physical infrastructure, residents and healthcare workers are also calling for improved staffing at these centers once completed. A physician assistant in Bekwai noted, “Completing the facilities is just the first step. We need trained personnel, medicines, and medical equipment to ensure that these centers are truly functional and not just empty buildings.”
As the government moves forward with this initiative, stakeholders in the health sector will be watching closely to ensure that the promises made translate into meaningful improvements on the ground. The completion of these facilities will mark a significant step toward addressing the healthcare challenges in the Ashanti Region and beyond.
Dr. Amoakohene’s assurance signals a commitment to prioritizing healthcare infrastructure as a key component of national development. With proper execution, the initiative has the potential to transform primary healthcare delivery, reduce mortality rates, and ensure that no community is left behind in the quest for quality healthcare.
