Gov’t Allocates GH¢46m to Revive Stalled KNUST Teaching Hospital Project

The government has committed GH¢46 million to revive the long-stalled Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Teaching Hospital, a project that has remained dormant for more than a decade.

Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, made the announcement at the 50th Anniversary Grand Durbar of the KNUST School of Medical Sciences (SMS), directing contractors to return to the project site within 30 days to resume completion works.

Originally launched over twelve years ago, the $125 million facility was designed to provide hands-on training for medical students while delivering quality healthcare services to the KNUST community and its surrounding areas. The project was initially financed through a partnership between KNUST and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), with a projected six-year completion timeline—yet it has remained unfinished.

According to Mr. Iddrisu, the renewed government intervention aims not only to complete but also to fully equip the facility for use.

　 “Charting the future means having a dedicated hospital to support the School of Medical Sciences,” he said. “We are committing GH¢46 million for the completion of the KNUST Teaching Hospital, and contractors will return to site within the next 30 days. Additionally, through GETFund, we are providing $38 million for equipping the hospital as part of the 2025/2026 GETFund formula.”

The Education Minister also announced plans for new infrastructure to enhance academic facilities at the university, including the construction of two multipurpose lecture theatres valued at $10 million, to be captured in the 2027 GETFund budget.

Themed “A Glance at the Past, A Glimpse into the Future,” the anniversary event celebrated the achievements of the School of Medical Sciences since its establishment in 1975.

Prof. Akwasi Antwi-Kusi, Dean of SMS, reaffirmed the school’s dedication to medical excellence.

　 “This celebration is not only about looking back with pride but also forward with vision. Our legacy is built not on what we inherited but on what we create through courage, collaboration, and commitment,” he said.

Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, commended the school for its decades of impact in healthcare and medical education.

　 “For 50 years, the School of Medical Sciences has remained steadfast in advancing science, technology, and healthcare. Training nearly 4,000 medical professionals and scientists stands as a testament to its resilience and excellence,” she noted.

The renewed government funding marks a major step toward completing one of Ghana’s most significant university healthcare projects, expected to transform both medical education and health service delivery in the Ashanti Region and beyond.