The Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye has cited the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) as the reason for the delay in reconstructing the La General Hospital.

The government has faced backlash for not rebuilding the hospital, which was demolished in 2020.

Addressing journalists in Accra, Dr. Okoe-Boye explained that, the DDEP had disrupted the government’s plans for the project.

“Due to the debt exchange programme, many financial institutions pulled out during the global financial crisis, leading to the delay in the La General (Hospital) project,” he said.

“President Akufo-Addo then directed the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to source funds from the Government of Ghana (GoG). I am pleased to announce that the La General Hospital is now being constructed with taxpayers’ money, at a cost of €50 million,” Dr Okoe-Boye added.

Residents of La and surrounding areas have held several protests against the delay in construction since the hospital’s demolition for safety reasons.