Massive donations pour in for Asantehene’s KATH renovation fundraising
The initiative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to lead the mobilisation of $10 million for the renovation of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) received massive response at the launch on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Individuals and organisations donated heavily, as the King called for support from both within and outside the Ashanti Region to help bring life back to the 69-year-old hospital.
The launch was attended by the King himself, Chiefs, market women, legislators, lawyers, actors and actresses, corporate institutions, religious bodies among others.
Contributions
Some of the contributions that came in during the launch were from Justmoh Construction, and an unnamed individual, each of whom gave $1.2 million for the renovation of two blocks of wards at the hospital; Kumasi Traditional Council , 1 million cedis; Unijay Fashions 1 million cedis; Isaac Owusu , $300,000; United Ghana Empire, 200,000 cedis; Prof. Kofi Amponsah -300,000 cedis; Dr Henry Kokofu, 140,000 cedis; Goil Ghana Limted, 200,000 cedis; Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, 100,000 cedis; Asante Caucus in Parliament, 100,000 cedis; Ashanti Regional Minister, 50,000 cedis
Genesis
Giving the genesis of the initiative, the King said not long ago, the Chief Executive of KATH, Prof. Otchere Addai Mensah came to him at the Manhyia Palace to introduce himself to him, and indicated the bad state of the facility.
Otumfuo said he “sneaked” to the hospital in the night to personally ascertain the situation and was hit with the reality.
His Majesty said the great traditional priest Komfo Anokye after whom the hospital is named, never fell sick in his lifetime so it is unacceptable that the hospital will “fall sick”.
“So I assured the Chief Executive that I, with the support of my people, will do everything possible to bring life back to the hospital.”
KATH serves many regions
The Asantehene said although the hospital is in Kumasi, it serves about 12 regions in the country, adding that, the current situation of the facility is “a disgrace to all of us.”
“This is not about politics. All of us have to look at how to save the hospital, and we will do it,” he added.
Otumfuo said if every household in Kumasi should give 200 cedis every month, “we should be able to renovate the hospital .
“This is not the time for long talks and big English. All we know is the hospital is crumbling and we must save it now,” he posited.
Pay attention to region
The Asantehene urged MPs from the region to pay attention to the region.
“You are becoming too much engulfed with issues about Accra. Stop the hypocrisy and pay attention to the Ashanti Region’s development. Lead the charge and collect the monies from your constituents to support this project,“ Otumfuo told the MPs.
