KATH's Mother and Baby Unit stalled for 14 months as unpaid contractor leaves materials to rot

A major healthcare infrastructure project at Ghana's Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi remains paralysed, with construction materials procured for the Mother and Baby Unit deteriorating rapidly as payments to the contractor remain outstanding. The 14-month suspension has created a cascading crisis that threatens both the project's timeline and the quality of the eventual facility, according to the consultant project manager overseeing the work.

During a recent visit by Parliament's Select Committee on Health to assess progress, Consultant Project Manager Emmanuel Fobi Asabere painted a stark picture of the challenges facing the 509-bed facility. Beyond the immediate loss of construction momentum, the prolonged halt is causing materials to expire and warranties to lapse—compounding the financial burden of an already troubled project.

From renovation to complete rebuild

The project's troubled history reflects deeper structural problems that emerged early on. Originally launched in November 2019 to complete an existing hospital structure designed for approximately 850 beds, initial assessments after the contractor took over revealed serious defects in the building itself. Rather than attempt costly repairs, KATH engaged three additional firms and the Ghana Institution of Engineers to evaluate the facility. Their verdict was clear: fixing the existing structure would not be economically viable.

The decision was made to demolish the old building entirely and construct a new 509-bed hospital from scratch. While this redesign addressed structural integrity concerns, it also altered the project's scope and financial requirements. The initial cost estimate of GH¢188.5 million has been exceeded due to the repeated suspensions and associated delays.

According to Mr Asabere, physical construction currently stands at approximately 56 per cent completion, with procurement at 75 per cent. The design work and demolition phase have been completed, but the lack of contractor payments has halted further progress entirely.

Why it matters for Ghana

The KATH Mother and Baby Unit represents a critical investment in maternal and child health infrastructure at one of Ghana's leading teaching hospitals. Delays in completing this facility have direct implications for maternal mortality rates and child health outcomes across the Ashanti Region and beyond, as KATH serves as a tertiary referral centre for complex obstetric and paediatric cases.

The payment crisis also raises broader questions about project management and budgeting in Ghana's healthcare infrastructure development. When contractors cannot be paid on time, projects stall, material costs escalate due to price adjustments and replacements, and skilled workers move to other projects. The cumulative effect is a waste of public resources and postponed benefits to patients who desperately need improved facilities.

For Ghana's health sector, which already faces significant resource constraints, this represents lost investment and delayed improvements to essential services. The deterioration of materials means additional costs will be incurred simply to replace items that could have been used months ago.

The path forward

Mr Asabere was clear that clearing the outstanding payments is the only immediate pathway to resuming construction. The contractor has maintained the site during the suspension but cannot afford to return to active construction without financial assurance. Until the payment issue is resolved, the project will remain frozen, materials will continue to deteriorate, and the completion date—already significantly delayed—will recede further into the future.

Parliament's Health Committee visit signals growing attention to the project's status, but attention alone will not unblock the funds needed to move forward. The real test will be whether government can mobilise the resources necessary to honour its payment obligations and allow this critical healthcare facility to finally be completed.