If govt raised GHS7.5b in a month, why doubt funding for 88 hospitals in 1 year? Gabby questions

The government of Ghana has successfully raised GHS7.5 billion Ghana Cedis in one month as part of its fundraising efforts to fight Covid-19, cousin of President Akufo-Addo, Gabby Otchere Darko has disclosed.

According to Gabby, no one should challenge a government that has been able to raise this amount in one month, “if it says it can raise money to build 88 district hospitals & throw in another 6 regional ones, starting from this year”.

It is not clear yet how much specifically came from the Sophia Akuffo-led fund and other sources.

Until Gabby’s disclosure, the only time Ghanaians got an update about the amount accrued in the Covid fund was during President Akufo-Addo’s fifth national address to the nation.

At the time, the president disclosed that the COVID-19 National Trust Fund has so far received a total sum of GH¢8.75 million in the form of donations from the general public.

He also noted that the stated amount also includes US$600,000 and commended Ghanaians and institutions for heeding to the clarion call to support the Fund meant to support the vulnerable and those who will be hard hit by measures adopted to combat the Coronavirus disease in Ghana.

It is still unclear where the quoted amount comes from, but it is supposed it emerged from various initiatives of government including the COVID-19 Trust Fund and the International Monetary Fund facility to Ghana among others.

President Nana Akufo-Addo last month established the COVID-19 Trust Fund to solicit support from Ghanaians as the country fights the Coronavirus pandemic.