Euroget De-Invest S.A., the contractor responsible for the construction of the 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital in Sewua, has raised serious concerns following the official commissioning of the facility by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on January 4, 2025.
While the president presided over the opening of the Ashanti Regional 250-bed hospital and the 50-bed Infectious Disease Centre in Sewua, Euroget swiftly issued a statement accusing the government of breaching the terms of their contract. The company claimed that the commissioning event was conducted despite the fact that the hospital was unfinished and that Euroget had not received full payment for the construction work.
The contractors stressed that the facility has not been officially handed over to the government, meaning they still retain possession of the site. They made it clear that no permission was granted for any party to enter the site for commissioning purposes.
“As the contractor, we retain possession of the site until the project is formally and legally handed over,” the company said in their statement. “We categorically did not grant permission to any party to enter the site for commissioning purposes.”
Euroget further accused President Akufo-Addo of engaging in an act of illegality, questioning the motives behind such an action just days before the end of his term.
“Why would an outgoing president engage in such illegality just three days before handing over office?” the statement read, calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The commissioning ceremony took place amidst controversy over the state of the facility, which Euroget claims remains incomplete. Despite this, the project was hailed by officials as a significant achievement for the Ashanti Region, where it is touted as the largest regional hospital in the country. The hospital, along with the 50-bed Infectious Disease Centre, forms part of the government’s broader effort to improve healthcare infrastructure across the nation.
The Ashanti Regional Hospital is fully equipped with essential medical services, including an administration block, outpatient department, intensive care unit, maternity and delivery suites, laboratory, pharmacy, and theatre complex, among other facilities. The Infectious Disease Centre is part of the 12 hospitals built with COVID-19 funding to manage infectious diseases across Ghana.
This hospital project is one of the nine undertaken by Euroget following an initiative by former President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2008. The Euroget hospitals include the 500-bed Military Hospital in Afari, Kumasi, the 160-bed Wa Regional Hospital, the 100-bed Ga East Municipal Hospital in Kwabenya, and several others in Tepa, Konongo, Twifo Praso, and Madina.
Euroget’s accusations of an improper commissioning event now cast a shadow over the hospital’s long-anticipated opening, highlighting unresolved issues with the project and raising questions about the transparency and legality of the process.
Read below the statement by Euroget De-Invest S.A
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:5TH JANUARY 2025
CONCERNS OVER THE COMMISSIONING OF ASHANTI REGIONAL 250-BED HOSPITAL IN SEWUA
From the Office of Dr. Said Deraz, Group Chairman, Euroget De-Invest S.A.
The recent commissioning of the 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital in Sewua, Bosomtwe District, by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Saturday, 4th January 2025, raises serious concerns regarding legal and contractual obligations. While we acknowledge the importance of healthcare infrastructure in the Ashanti Region, we must firmly state that the commissioning of the 250-bed facility Regional hospital was conducted in direct violation of the terms of our contract.
It is important to stress that Euroget De-Invest S.A. has not yet received full payment for the construction of the hospital. Furthermore, the project remains incomplete and has not yet been officially handed over to the government. As the contractor, we retain possession of the site until the project is handed over correctly and legally. We categorically did not grant permission to any party to enter the site for commissioning purposes.
Dr. Said Deraz, Group CEO and Chairman of Euroget De-Invest S.A., expressed his concerns, as below:
“Euroget did not give anyone permission to enter the site. Possession is still ours until we hand it over in the correct and legal manner.”
He further emphasised:
“This is a breach of the contract. We haven’t handed over, and every step should be taken to claim damages against all previous commissioning because, by this action, the President is implying that he could have commissioned those hospitals without incurring any costs on our part.”
The fact that the government proceeded with the commissioning without consulting Euroget raises questions about the adherence to legal protocols and the sanctity of contracts. The company, which secured the funding for the hospital’s construction, was not consulted regarding this purported commissioning. Additionally, there was no representative from Euroget present at the event, which accentuates our exclusion from a critical milestone in the project.
We believe that the government’s actions constitute a serious breach of security concerning the hospital. Entering the premises without our permission to undertake the commissioning, while the hospital remains incomplete and without the contractor being fully compensated, reflects a disregard for the law and contractual agreements. This situation represents a level of lawlessness that cannot be overlooked.
As we approach the transition of power in Ghana, we are left questioning the motives behind such an action. Why would an outgoing President engage in such illegality just three days before handing over office? We must stress that the timing of this commissioning raises concerns about the legitimacy of the actions taken and whether they serve any political agenda rather than the interests of the citizens who rely on these healthcare facilities.
It is fundamental for all stakeholders, including the public, to understand the implications of these actions. The commissioning of the Ashanti Regional 250-bed Hospital should be a moment of pride and achievement for all involved; however, it has instead become a source of contention and uncertainty. We urge the government to respect the rule of law and adhere to the contractual obligations it has entered into.
We call upon the relevant authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly. The actions taken by the government not only undermine the integrity of the project but also set a worrying precedent for future government contracts and projects. The people of the Ashanti Region deserve better than to have their healthcare infrastructure embroiled in legal disputes and contractual violations.
In conclusion, Euroget De-Invest S.A. remains committed to completing the Ashanti Regional 250-Bed Hospital to the highest standards and fulfilling our contractual obligations. We hope that this situation can be resolved amicably and that the government will recognise the importance of following due process in all its dealings. We are prepared to take all necessary steps to protect our rights and seek damages for any breaches of contract that have occurred.
We appreciate the ongoing support from the community and stakeholders, and we will keep the public informed about any developments regarding this matter.
Signed,
Dr. Said Deraz
Group Chairman
Euroget De-Invest S.A.
