SOME BEAUTIFULLY designed billboards described by many residents as ?propaganda billboards? have suddenly sprung up along major streets of the Bolgatanga municipality, announcing the prototype of what seems to be the final stage of a proposed ?Redevelopment of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.?
These giant billboards are loudly echoing the mind of the National Democratic Congress that government will not build a regional hospital for the Upper East contrary to the promise made by Professor Atta Mills.
In 2008, the NDC promised to complete phases 2 and 3 of the upgrading work at the current Bolgatanga Hospital, which is serving as the regional hospital and build a new regional hospital for the Upper East region like that of other regions in the country.
However, per the language of the ?propaganda billboards,? there will not be a new regional hospital for the Upper East from the NDC government.
Rather, government will spend millions of Ghana cedis to pull down some structures of the existing Bolgatanga Hospital and redevelop it.
Residents who are expecting some sincerity in national governance are asking the reason behind the sudden giant billboards advertising the hospital?s redevelopment.
In their view, it is a deliberate attempt by government?s
propaganda machinery to lure the people of Bolgatanga to vote for the NDC in December.
The people are asking why the proposed redevelopment of a hospital in Bolgatanga is being advertised now when over the years government insisted on building a regional hospital aside the Bolgatanga Hospital and yet did not mount a billboard.
For them, the billboards are just propaganda tools and not a show of government?s love or commitment to the welfare of people in the Upper East.
The Federation of Young Professionals recently described government?s attempt to work on some structures at the Bolgatanga Hospital as a clear case of deceit and wickedness towards people of the region.
They say government has not shown any interest in completing the phase 2 and 3 upgrading projects the Bolgatanga Hospital despite several appeals.
According to group, it has intercepted information that government intends to pull down some structures at the Bolgatanga Hospital and rebuild them to create the impression that the NDC Government is committed to the welfare of the people and had fulfilled its campaign promise of finishing the rehabilitation of the hospital started by the NPP. It said government planned to abandon the project after the NDC is voted to power again.
?In clear disrespect for the people of this region, the
Mills-Mahama government in the 2011 State of the Nation address and 2012 Budget statement in parliament announced that phase II of the rehabilitation work was completed and phase III was about to take off,? the federation said.
In 2011, out of fear that the region may lose the opportunity of getting a regional hospital, BONABOTO, a social pressure group lobbied chiefs to release land for the project.
BONABOTO?s action was in response to a request by Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo for a parcel of land to build a regional hospital.
The Bolgatanga Hospital underwent major rehabilitation and construction work by the NPP government. The people were looking forward to seeing the NDC fulfill its promise of completing the two phases and starting construction of a new referral hospital for the region but it seems their hopes have been dashed.
From Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga
View the original article here
