Asantehene leads charge to raise $10m to refurbish main ‘Gee’ block at KATH

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, says he is ready to champion an advocacy to raise US$10 million towards the renovation of the 70-year-old in-patient wards at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Since its construction in 1955, the main wards of the hospital have not been refurbished with portions of the building developing defects.

When the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer and members of the “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” team paid a visit to the Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene said he is committed to improving healthcare delivery in the region and beyond.

The “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” team presented the technical and financial proposal developed to guide the comprehensive renovation of the dilapidated blocks which the Asantehene had commissioned them to undertake.

The team is a volunteer group of an architects, real estate developers, marketers, brand communication experts among others. The renovation project is expected to be executed as part of the legacy projects marking the 25th anniversary celebration of the Asantehene’s enstoolment next year.

Otumfuo Osei-Tutu described KATH as a strategic institution that occupies a unique position in the health care delivery system of the country as well as the social, cultural and historical heritage of the Asante Kingdom.

“For a hospital that has been the sole provider of tertiary healthcare in this region and beyond for decades, and also named after the founding Chief Priest of the Asanteman, it will be unacceptable to allow it to fall into a state of disrepair, hence my readiness to lead the crusade for its restoration”, the King explained.

A technical assessment of the facility built in the colonial era by British firm Gee and Walter indicates defects in the structure, with some blocks having cracks.

CEO of KATH, Prof Otchere Addai-Mensah, said he was in utter shock at the extent of the block’s deterioration after his assumption of office in 2022.

“Even though routine repairs have been done over the years, they are woefully inadequate to address the enormous wear and tear that the blocks have undergone over the past seven decades. I am overjoyed that the Asantehene has mentioned plans to give the hospital the much-needed facelift,” he said.

Otumfuo hinted at plans to formally launch a fundraising campaign for mobilisation of essential resources to commence renovation works.

He commended the CEO of KATH and members of the “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” team for their commitment to the project.

He urged the public and corporate institutions to support the fundraising drive when launched for the successful execution of the project.

The Asantehene nominated Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Hiahene and Founder of the Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS) – who is also Board Chairman for the Otumfuo Charity Foundation – as his direct representation for the project.

Chairman of the “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” team, Samuel Adu-Boakye, was grateful to the Asantehene for leading the execution of the project.

According to him, a comprehensive marketing and communication strategy has been developed to facilitate the fundraising campaign.

“If we can get just one million Ghanaians to donate 10 dollars each, $10 million can be raised in no time to ensure the timely execution of this project for the benefit of the entire people of Ghana given the wide catchment of the hospital,” he observed.