The Heal Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Project has received a donation of GH¢1.2 million from the Ministry of Finance to support it in clearing 10 containers of tiles from the port.
The ministry stated that this gesture is its contribution to the Heal Komfo Anokye Project and is a response to a request from the project for an import duty tax waiver on items intended for the hospital's renovation.
Additionally, the project contributed approximately GH¢600,000 to clear the 10 containers at Tema Port designated for the rehabilitation of KATH.
In April of this year, KATH's management appealed to the government through the Ministry of Health for a waiver on all imported items for the Heal Komfo Anokye Project.
At the time of the appeal, the project had received 10 containers of hospital tiles with an import duty of just over GH¢1.70 million.
Following this appeal, the Ministry of Finance provided a cheque for more than GH¢1.20 million to KATH, allowing them to clear the tiles before incurring demurrage fees.
The Heal Komfo Anokye Project is a legacy initiative commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's enstoolment. The project aims to raise $10 million to renovate the 70-year-old facility, enhancing it to meet the standards of a tertiary hospital.
Support
Samuel Adu-Boakye, Chairman of the Project Committee, expressed his gratitude to the ministry in an interview with the Daily Graphic for their timely intervention, which enabled the project to clear the goods promptly.
He acknowledged that although they did not receive the full waiver they had hoped for, the ministry's support significantly helped the project. "We are grateful for the support," he said.
He also extended his thanks to corporate Ghana and everyone who has contributed to the project so far.
"Raising close to $4 million within five months is no small feat, especially given the current economic challenges in the country," he said.
He noted that the project had achieved about 41 percent of its $10 million target and urged corporate Ghana and individuals to help the committee meet its goal.
"We recognize that the government should be undertaking this work, but we also know that the government cannot do it alone. We need to contribute what we can."
Donors
So far, 15 companies, five financial institutions, eight churches, and one telecommunications company have made contributions towards the project.
"The number of individuals who have contributed through the mobile money platform is yet to reach 1,000, with donations ranging from 50p to GH¢1200," he said.
Challenge
Mr. Adu-Boakye explained that the challenge of finding space to move patients and allow the contractor to work is affecting the renovation's pace.
He stated that the hospital is operating at almost full capacity during the renovation, which hinders the progress since there is no place to relocate the patients to ensure an unimpeded pace of work.