The Kumasi Traditional Council is set to inspect the stalled Afari Military Hospital and Sewua Hospital next week as concerns mount over delays in completing the two major health facilities despite persistent congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The decision follows a briefing by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who appeared before the Council at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday, June 11, to provide updates on ongoing healthcare infrastructure projects across the Ashanti Region.
The inspection, initially scheduled for June 12, was postponed by one week at the request of the Regional Minister to allow contractors and project consultants sufficient time to prepare and brief traditional leaders on the current status of the facilities.
The meeting, chaired by Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, the Nkwantakesehene, who acted in the absence of the Asantehene, centred on growing concerns that both hospitals remain non-operational despite increasing demand for healthcare services in Kumasi.
Addressing the Council, Dr. Amoakohene disclosed that work on the Sewua Hospital is making steady progress, with efforts underway to secure essential utilities, including electricity and water supply, as well as improve road access to the facility.
He revealed that a contractor has been engaged to construct roads leading to the hospital and is expected to return to site next week to continue work.
However, the Regional Minister acknowledged that progress on the Afari Military Hospital remains uncertain due to procurement-related challenges and pending administrative processes that have slowed its completion.
Dr. Amoakohene also informed the Council that the government has completed and commissioned 15 primary hospitals across the Ashanti Region, while an additional 48 hospitals currently under construction are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
He further confirmed that renovation works under the Heal Komfo Anokye project have been temporarily suspended to ensure the teaching hospital maintains adequate patient capacity while authorities work toward operationalising the Afari Military Hospital and Sewua Hospital.
The planned inspection by the Kumasi Traditional Council is expected to provide first-hand assessment of the progress made on the projects and reinforce calls for their timely completion to ease pressure on KATH and improve healthcare delivery in the region.
