Consultant Project Manager Emmanuel Fobi Asabere has warned that the prolonged suspension of construction is putting procured materials and equipment at risk, potentially increasing the cost of completing the specialised healthcare facility.
He said some items purchased for the project had already become defective or passed their expiration dates, while others risk losing part of their warranty coverage before installation and commissioning.
Mr Asabere disclosed this when members of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health visited the abandoned facility in Kumasi to assess the project’s progress and the factors delaying its completion.
According to him, the contractor has been unable to resume full-scale construction because payments for work undertaken remain outstanding, resulting in repeated suspensions.
“The suspension is as a result of non-payment to the contractor,” he said, adding that the contractor was awaiting payment before returning to the site.
The project has reportedly been suspended for about 14 months, following an earlier period when construction activities slowed because of payment difficulties.
Procured equipment faces deterioration
Mr Asabere said the prolonged inactivity had created uncertainty over the condition and usability of materials already purchased for the project.
Among the items procured are air-conditioning systems, electrical components and facade materials required to enclose the building.
He said the contractor had stored the materials in a warehouse near Ridge Course while awaiting the resumption of construction.
However, the continued delay has raised concerns about whether some of the equipment will remain suitable for installation when work eventually resumes.
Mr Asabere explained that certain materials came with limited warranty periods, meaning delays in installation and commissioning could reduce the effective protection available when the facility becomes operational.
Some items may also require revalidation by their manufacturers before they can be used, potentially creating additional costs and further delaying completion.
The consultant project manager warned that without clarity on when construction would resume, it would be difficult to determine how much of the procured equipment could be preserved or restored to acceptable working condition.
Project cost rises as construction remains stalled
The Mother and Baby Unit project began in November 2019, with the original plan centred on completing an existing hospital structure with a capacity of about 850 beds.
However, an assessment conducted after the contractor took over the site revealed serious structural defects in the existing building.
Three other firms, together with the Ghana Institution of Engineers, were subsequently engaged to assess the structure and advise on the appropriate course of action.
The assessment concluded that repairing the old building would not be economically advisable, leading to a decision to demolish the structure and redesign the project.
The facility was subsequently redesigned as a 509-bed hospital, with the contractor responsible for demolishing the old structure and constructing the replacement facility.
The initial project cost was GH¢188.5 million, although Mr Asabere indicated that prolonged suspensions had resulted in additional costs.
Project 56% complete
Despite the delays, Mr Asabere said physical construction had reached approximately 56 per cent completion, while procurement stood at 75 per cent.
Design works have been completed, and the demolition of the previous structure is also 100 per cent complete.
The project is being executed under a design-and-build contract, which makes the contractor responsible for the design, construction, equipping and eventual handover of the facility, including the training of personnel.
Mr Asabere said the contractor had made efforts to maintain the site during the suspension periods, while stakeholders continued discussions aimed at resolving the outstanding issues.
He appealed for the necessary financial commitments to be made to enable construction to resume and work to progress towards completion.
Delays raise concerns over maternal and child healthcare
The completion of the Mother and Baby Unit is expected to expand specialised maternal and child healthcare services at KATH, one of Ghana’s major referral hospitals.
The prolonged suspension, however, raises concerns about the financial implications of the delay, particularly if equipment requires replacement, warranties need renewal or manufacturers must revalidate stored materials.
The latest disclosure before Parliament’s Health Committee also puts the spotlight on the need to resolve outstanding payments and establish a clear path towards completing the project.
Until construction resumes, the facility remains unfinished, with the condition of procured materials and the additional costs associated with the delays emerging as major concerns for stakeholders.
