Deputy Minister for Defence Brogya Genfi has revealed that construction of the Afari Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region has reached 60 per cent completion, as government intensifies efforts to revive and complete the long-stalled healthcare facility.

The 500-bed hospital project, launched in 2014 with an expected completion period of 42 months, has faced years of setbacks, including funding challenges, contractual disputes and prolonged abandonment.

Providing an update in a Facebook post on Thursday, June 11, Mr. Genfi indicated that while the overall project is 60 per cent complete, progress has been uneven across its various components. Civil and architectural works have advanced significantly and are nearly finished at 97 per cent completion, but biomedical and mechanical installations remain at an early stage, standing at only five per cent.

He disclosed that delays have also affected medical equipment procured for the facility, with some warranties having expired over time. Other equipment, he said, has either become outdated or gone missing following incidents of theft at the site.

According to the Deputy Minister, the contractor withdrew from the project before the current administration took office and is demanding the settlement of outstanding claims before resuming work. The contractor is reportedly seeking payments of $7 million under one claim and $78 million under a second claim.

Mr. Genfi noted that discussions have since resumed between government and the contractor as part of efforts to resolve outstanding issues and accelerate completion of the project. He added that authorities are also conducting an inventory of available medical equipment within the country to support the hospital's eventual operationalisation.

To safeguard the facility and prevent further losses, he said the project site is under the protection of the Ghana Armed Forces, with access restricted to authorised individuals.

The update comes against the backdrop of renewed public interest in the hospital's status following a recent standoff between Minority Members of Parliament and military personnel during an attempted inspection of the facility.

The Minority has consistently advocated for the completion and commissioning of the hospital, arguing that it would help ease the growing burden on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, which continues to grapple with rising patient numbers.

Mr. Genfi reaffirmed government's commitment to completing the project and making the facility available to both the Ghana Armed Forces and residents of the Ashanti Region.