The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, delivered a sharp rebuke to President John Mahama’s recent emphasis on the National Cathedral during a visit to the Upper East Region on Thursday. Speaking in Zuarungu, Dr Ayine stated, “It is better to complete Agenda 111 hospital projects than to spend money on a national cathedral.” This response follows a resurgence in messaging about the cathedral by prominent religious figures, prompting a questioning of the government’s priorities.
Dr Ayine highlighted a concerning trend: the substantial expenditure on the National Cathedral, detailed in a recent PwC report, which he said was ‘questionable’ in its handling of the project. He questioned the prioritization of the Cathedral over crucial infrastructure development, particularly the District Hospitals under the Agenda 111 program.
Dr Ayine further asserted that the money allocated to the Cathedral could have been redirected to complete existing Agenda 111 hospitals across the country. The issue has become particularly relevant following renewed calls by religious leaders for the Cathedral’s construction, a demand that Dr Ayine has consistently challenged.
He expressed frustration at the government’s apparent reluctance to prioritize completing stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects, stating that these facilities were essential to addressing healthcare challenges within the Bolgatanga East District. The Ministry of Health, according to Dr Ayine, had consistently pressured the Health Minister to complete the facility, citing its importance to improve healthcare delivery.
Dr Ayine also revealed that the Ministry had compelled the Health Minister to disclose the list of districts receiving Agenda 111 funding, which included Bolga East Zuarungu, highlighting a deliberate effort to ensure the project’s inclusion in the completion schedule.
He underscored the government’s commitment to the Free Primary Healthcare program, describing it as a significant step towards improving the welfare of Ghanaians. The program, alongside other initiatives, has been presented as evidence of government’s capacity to effectively serve the citizens.
The PwC report detailing the expenditure on the National Cathedral project, which Dr Ayine cited, suggests a potential diversion of resources. The report was presented to him as a key point of contention, fueling his assertion that the government’s focus should be on completing Agenda 111 projects.
Furthermore, Dr Ayine expressed satisfaction that the facility had been selected for completion, emphasizing its potential to improve healthcare delivery in the district. He also stated that the Minister of Health had promised to ensure the construction of a modern operating theatre for the health centre, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to infrastructure improvements.
The Bolgatanga East Health Centre faces significant challenges, particularly the limited capacity of its theatre to handle multiple emergency surgeries. The facility operates with a small theatre, making it difficult to manage multiple pregnancies requiring emergency surgery. Dr Ayine explained that additional patients frequently need to be transferred to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, placing further strain on the referral facility.
He also disclosed that the Minister of Health had visited the facility and pledged to ensure the construction of a modern operating theatre for the health centre. The Attorney-General commended the government’s implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare program, emphasizing its importance to the wellbeing of Ghanaians, and stressed that improvements in healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to primary healthcare are essential for improving the overall health of the populace.
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Source: Graphic Online
