The University of Ghana Teaching Hospital was built by the Government, former Minister of Finance Dr Kwabena Duffuor has said.
Dr Duffuor’s clarification follows claims by the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Frank Serebuor that the health facility was a private project undertaken by the University but with the assistance of the government who only served as a loan guarantor.
President John Mahama listed the hospital as one of the achievements of his government in the health sector when he presented highlights of the party’s 2016 manifesto in Accra last week.
However, Dr Serebuor told Kumasi-based Abusua FM that: “The University of Ghana Teaching hospital … is a private hospital. The university built it by seeking funding from Israel.”
“I wasn’t surprised that the president during the NDC’s manifesto highlights claimed ownership of the University of Ghana Teaching hospital because sometimes politicians look at the infrastructural developments put up in the regime and claim ownership, as far as I know, government did not build that facility, it only guaranteed the loan for the establishment,” Dr Serebuor said.
In a response, Dr Duffuor said: “Those who are making such allegations, let me ask them this: If a Finance Minister presents papers covering a project to cabinet, and it is approved in parliament, who seeks for the loan? Definitely it is Ghana government.”
“It’s really disturbing that some people are making such allegations. It’s not true,” he insisted, adding: “I was personally involved in the process of that loan as the Finance Minister and worked on all the papers. One Dr Lawson was the Coordinator of this project; ask him the details of the project. Government sought for the loan for the University from Israel, I signed all the papers; they should come forward with their papers so that we debate the issue. All the documents can be found in the Finance and Health Ministries. I am telling you the truth.”
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
