We were in power for eight years but couldn't complete Afari Military Hospital yet you criticise NDC — Ken Agyapong slams NPP
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has criticised both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the prolonged delay in completing the Afari Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region.
The 500-bed military hospital project, valued at $180 million, was initiated in March 2014 and was expected to be completed within 42 months.
However, 12 years after work commenced, the facility remains unfinished.
The issue has attracted renewed attention following a recent visit by Minority members on Parliament's Health Committee, who expressed concern that the delay is affecting healthcare delivery in the Ashanti Region amid congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Tuesday, June 16, Kennedy Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee, acknowledged that the NPP failed to complete the project during its eight years in government.
“When we came, I'm an NPP[member], but I have to tell you the truth. We're talking about Ghana, we didn't do anything. Read my lips, I'm telling you the gospel truth,” he said.
The former Assin Central MP argued that criticism of the current government over the state of the project must be balanced with an honest assessment of the previous administration's record.
According to him, the NPP had ample time in office to advance the project but failed to do so.
“You[NPP] were there for eight years. You didn't complete it. When somebody comes for 15 months, then you have a problem. Please give me a break,” he stated.
The former lawmaker further urged political actors to stop treating national development issues as partisan matters and instead focus on what benefits the country.