The spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Gideon Boako, has given assurances that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is committed to supporting a noble initiative as the Heal Komfo Anokye Project initiated by the Asantehene.
He however expressed shock over media reports purporting that the Vice President intervened in the clearance of critical construction materials from the Tema Harbour for the ‘Heal Komfo Anokye’ project.
In an earlier conversation with Kojo Marfo, the Chairman for the Heal Komfo Anokye Project, Mr. Sammy Adu Boakye, stated that contrary to information in the media, ‘their efforts to reach the Vice President to contribute to the Heal Komfo Anokye Project had not yielded any results.
He lamented that a consignment of ten containers of materials including tiles, electrical, and plumbing supplies urgently needed for ongoing works to refurbish the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital were locked up at the Tema Port because of customs duties amounting to some 1.8 million cedis.
Clarifying matters, Dr. Boako pointed out that while it was a good gesture to attribute such a story to the Vice President, he has not made any donation towards the project.
“When we saw the Citi FM publication, we were taken aback because Veep had not taken any such initiative”.
He added that although the source of the story was claimed to be the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the authenticity of the story could not be confirmed.
“Citi told us they had received their information from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, but they could not confirm the authenticity of the story,” he asserted.
In an interview with Kojo Marfo on AbusuaNkommo at Abusua965FM, Dr. Boako explained that the Vice President’s office has not had any official communication with the Heal Komfo Anokye team regarding their request for tax waivers for their containers.
“We heard about the Komfo Anokye Tax Waiver Brouhaha on social media, but as of now, no one has officially informed us about it. Their issue is primarily a matter between the Ministry of Finance and the GRA. However, if it reaches a certain level and the Heal Komfo Anokye team feels they need intervention from the Vice President, the CEO can inform him, as he has a solid relationship with the Vice President”.
Answering whether the Vice President will contribute to the Heal Komfo Anokye Project, Dr. Gideon Boako admitted that it was a good call.
He revealed, “Before the project even started, the CEO of KATH met with the Vice President to discuss various issues about KATH and the projects, including painting the facility.”
Insisting the Vice President and the KATH CEO have good relations and direct communication, he was certain the two had discussed things to a definite level in their closed-door meetings.
“The CEO of KATH, Prof. Otchere Addai Mensah, has a very good relationship with the Vice President and can speak or have WhatsApp chats with him 24/7,” Dr. Gideon Boako stated.
Locked Up Containers:
A portion of a statement released by the Chairman of the Heal Komfo Anokye Project posted on Facebook on April 2, 2024 read, “People out of their misery have donated their widow’s might to support a project that is supposed to be done by the Government. 10 containers of materials for HKATH have arrived at Tema Port and the government is charging 1.8 million cedis as duty”.
Speaking to Abusua FM, He further lamented, despite sending letters to the Finance Minister through the chief director almost two months ago, the Otumfuo led project had not been dignified with any acknowledgment.
The Chairman mentioned their attempts to engage the Former President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, for contributions to the project, had also been unsuccessful.
“We have tried to reach out to the former President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, to contribute to the project, but our efforts have yielded no results”.
Sammy Adu Boakye however singled out the former majority leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu for praise; for contributing a hundred and fifty thousand cedis to the project with a further promise to follow up on processes to obtain the required waivers for the project.
Background:
Heal KATH
The ‘Heal Komfo Anokye’ project was launched by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in collaboration with KATH, to raise $10 million to renovate Blocks A, B, C and D of the hospital.
The project is to renovate the almost dilapidated 70-year tertiary referral facility and also serve as a legacy project for the 25th anniversary of the enstoolment of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kwadwo Owusu
