President John Dramani Mahama has, for the umpteenth time, pledged to complete the maternity block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

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According to President Mahama, the abandoned maternity block is a part of the health infrastructure projects in the Ashanti Region that will be finalized before the end of his tenure.

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“In the health sector, we will continue and complete the Sewua and Afari Military Hospitals. We will also continue and complete the KATH maternity and children blocks,” he stated.

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He gave the assurance at the Jubilee House while engaging with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and other chiefs on Monday, June 2.

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The maternity block project began in 1976 as part of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Expansion Project; however, it was halted in 1979.

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First President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, reactivated the project in 1999, but it was brought to a standstill thereafter.

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The administration of the second President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, also took over in 2004 and later discontinued in 2009.

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In 2020, former President Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the reactivation of work on the Maternity and Children’s Block.

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The project was funded by the German Bank, Deutsche Bank, and was estimated to cost €155 million. It was projected to be completed within 36 months under the Akufo-Addo-led adminstration.

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Presently, the project has seen no progress, now serving as a shelter for birds and other rodents.

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About 500 workers who were working on the project have reportedly been laid off due to insufficient funds.

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With the recent assurance by President Mahama, hopes are high that the long-stalled project will be realized.

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Once completed, the building will be a state-of-the-art, modern health edifice, with paediatrics, gynaecology, and obstetrics units.

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