Former Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, has rejected claims that no work was done on the proposed Parliamentary Service Hospital project, insisting that significant preparatory steps had been completed before the project stalled.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Dr. Okoe-Boye explained that the Ministry of Health was engaged from the outset to provide technical oversight after the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) initiated plans for the facility.

“With the Ministry of Health in charge of citizens’ health, any agency intending to build a hospital using public funds engages us on the way forward,” he said.

According to him, the DACF approached the Ministry shortly after he assumed office, seeking technical support for a hospital project intended to serve Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff.

“They requested technical support so that the Ministry would act as the employer to hire the contractor, while they would disburse funds for payment,” he noted.

Dr. Okoe-Boye disclosed that following a series of engagements, a contractor was selected through a sole-sourcing process in December, with approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

“Around 10th December, we settled on a contractor through sole sourcing, but went through PPA for approval. The Ministry provided supervision and support,” he said.

The former Ledzokuku MP revealed that the project was valued at about $46 million, with provisions for an advance payment to enable the contractor to begin work.

“The terms suggested a 15% advance payment for the contractor, along with an advance payment bond from a financial institution to safeguard the money,” he explained.

His comments come after he was invited by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to respond to concerns over the payment of GH₵20 million in mobilisation funds for a Parliamentary Service Hospital project that has yet to commence.

Providing further clarification, he stressed that only a fraction of the total amount was released, and that preparatory work—including technical and administrative processes—had been carried out.

“My checks show that we paid 2.5%, not even up to 3%, for the contractor to start work. That was what the contractor used to mobilise resources. The design is ready, consultants have been paid, insurance for the project has been arranged, and several payments have been made,” he said.

He also indicated that developments after the change in government affected the continuity of the project, including a relocation of the proposed site.

“Following the change of government, the site has been changed. The project has been moved from Parliament to National Security. I am not sure where the new site is. The contractor informed us that redesigning for the new site is ongoing,” he noted.

Dr. Okoe-Boye further revealed that the current administration has signalled a lack of interest in continuing the project.

“The new government, due to its priorities, has made it clear that it will not invest resources into the project,” he said.

Addressing suggestions that funds had been wasted, he rejected the assertion, explaining that project costs extend beyond physical construction and that safeguards were in place to protect public funds.

“The headline says no work was done, but the truth is that projects involve payments for consultation, designs, and other preparatory activities. We cannot say the money was wasted. Even with the advance, we received a bond,” he added.

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