Government has revealed that the construction of hospitals in some 88 districts across the country will be awarded to only Ghanaian contractors.
Delivering the Mid-year Budget Review in Parliament House Thursday, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta said the decision is to show government’s commitment to building local businesses.
He noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the country’s weak health delivery system, therefore the urgency to coordinated and deliver a sustainable, long-term response to the health needs of citizens.
President Nana Akufo-Addo in his eighth address to the nation on Sunday, April 22, announced plans to construct 94 new hospitals across 88 districts and the six newly created regions.
These new health facilities, according to him, are to complement the existing ones and fortify the delivery of health services to individuals with various health challenges.
“There are 88 districts in our country without district hospitals and we have six regions without regional hospitals. We do not have infectious disease control centres dotted across the country and we do not have enough disease testing and isolation centres for diseases like Covid-19.”
The Finance Minister then added that the decision will serve as the foundation for the launch of a nation-wide housing programme, the Akufo-Addo administration will implement in his second term.
Touching on the impact of Covid-19, Mr Ofori Atta admitted that disease has affected the country’s economy but was hopeful that his government will bring the nation back to its feet.
“We must not and will not be daunted by this extraordinary crisis. Government will continue to do what it has to do - to protect lives and support livelihoods through compassionate, competent and courageous leadership.
“We have accepted that this pandemic and its effects are unparalleled in the annals of our country, and indeed globally. We have accepted that until a vaccine is found, we have no choice but to re-arrange our lifestyle in order to protect lives and promote livelihoods.
"It requires the marshalling of unprecedented resources to contend with the pandemic and its effects on Ghanaians,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
J. Derobie returns with ‘Firm After All’ EP
2 mins -
Samuel William Opoku-Agyakwa
6 mins -
I won’t protect your legacy of corruption, bankrupt economy – Mahama replies Akufo-Addo
12 mins -
Everyone safe after building collapses in Nairobi
17 mins -
Ariana Grande was carried in ‘asleep’ for Met Gala 2024 performance
18 mins -
Fuse ODG visits budding artiste Fred Kobby’s neighbourhood
18 mins -
South Africa poll agency rejects bid to remove Zuma from MK party
29 mins -
WAFU B U-17 Championship: Black Starlets face Niger in pre-tournament friendly on Thursday
40 mins -
Africans urged to employ indigenous knowledge in evaluation practices
40 mins -
Duopoly of NPP, NDC destabilising Ghana’s progress – Alan Kyerematen
47 mins -
Turf war not helping anti-corruption agencies; let’s merge them – Domelevo
54 mins -
Voter Registration: Residents satisfied with process so far on Day 2 in Ashanti Region
1 hour -
Foreign Affairs Ministry revives Made-In-Ghana Bazaar to link local industries to foreign market
1 hour -
Attacks on journalists threaten core democratic values – Information Minister-designate
1 hour -
Your legacy is one of debts and chaos; nothing better – Joyce Bawah to Akufo-Addo
1 hour