Ex-President Mahama had no hand in the UGMC construction – Dennis Aboagye Asserts
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for the Bawumia Campaign Team, claimed that former President John Dramani Mahama was not involved in the construction of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC). Speaking during the Next Chapter series of the Bawumia campaign on Sunday, June 16, 2024, Aboagye clarified that the credit for the UGMC’s establishment belongs to former Presidents John Evans Atta-Mills and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Aboagye explained, “President Mahama never built the University of Ghana Medical Centre. He had no hand in the construction of the University of Ghana Medical Centre. Two presidents rather constructed the edifice.”
He detailed that the project was initiated by former President Mills, who completed around 70% of phase one before his death. Although former President Mahama continued the project, he did not finish it. It was President Akufo-Addo who completed phase one and inaugurated the facility, Aboagye emphasized.
“President Akufo-Addo sought parliamentary approval for a loan to construct phase two of the University of Ghana Medical Centre. This loan is among those the NDC criticizes Akufo-Addo for accruing,” Aboagye explained.
He emphasized that the Akufo-Addo administration was solely responsible for the construction of phase two, from securing the loan to its completion. “Phase two of the University of Ghana Medical Centre was started from scratch by the Akufo-Addo administration and completed by the same administration,” he reiterated, dismissing claims of Mahama’s involvement.
Aboagye also criticized the NDC’s inconsistent stance on credit for infrastructure projects. He pointed out that the NDC takes pride in constructing Terminal 3 at Kotoka International Airport but denies the NPP credit for completing phase two of UGMC. “The NDC built Terminal 3 which is beautiful. They built it on the existing Kotoka International Airport and that’s fine. But when we tell them we built phase two of UGMC, they say it is not a standalone facility so we cannot take credit for it. What sort of logic is this?” he questioned.
Aboagye’s remarks are part of a broader debate about the contributions of different administrations to national infrastructure projects. The Bawumia Campaign Team aims to clarify the history and completion of the UGMC, attributing its development to the joint efforts of Presidents Mills and Akufo-Addo, while excluding former President Mahama from this achievement.
Read More: Cedi depreciation a ritual problem; Bawumia will fix it – Minister
