The Kumasi Traditional Council will inspect the stalled Afari Military Hospital and Sewua Hospital next week amid growing concerns over delays in completing the facilities despite persistent congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

The decision was taken after Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene appeared before the Council at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday (11 June) to provide an update on healthcare infrastructure projects in the Ashanti Region.

The visit, originally scheduled for 12 June, was postponed by a week at the minister’s request to allow contractors and project consultants to brief traditional leaders on the status of the projects.

The meeting, chaired by Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Nkwantakesehene, who is acting in the absence of the Asantehene, focused on concerns that the two hospitals remain non-operational despite increasing pressure on healthcare services in Kumasi.

Amoakohene told the Council that work on the Sewua Hospital was progressing, with steps being taken to secure electricity, water supply and road access to the facility.

He said a contractor had been engaged to construct roads leading to the hospital and was expected to return to site next week.

The minister, however, said progress on the Afari Military Hospital remained uncertain due to procurement-related challenges and pending administrative processes.

He added that the government had completed and commissioned 15 primary hospitals in the Ashanti Region and expected 48 more currently under construction to be completed by the end of the year.

Amoakohene also confirmed that renovation works under the Heal Komfo Anokye project had been suspended temporarily to maintain adequate patient capacity while authorities work to operationalise the Afari and Sewua hospitals.