Work progresses on La General Hospital project despite reports of workers being laid off for lack of funds

Construction work on the long-delayed La General Hospital is showing visible signs of progress nearly three months after President John Dramani Mahama pledged to revive and complete the project, raising fresh hopes among residents that the much-needed healthcare facility will finally be delivered.

When fully completed, the new hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in the Greater Accra Region by expanding specialist medical services, increasing bed capacity and easing pressure on existing health facilities serving Accra and its surrounding communities.

A visit by the 3news team to the project site on Monday, July 6, 2026, revealed construction activity in full swing, with engineers and workers engaged in several aspects of the project.

Construction crews were observed casting reinforced concrete pillars while completing the roof slab for the third floor of the main structure. Other teams were simultaneously carrying out masonry works, indicating that several phases of the project are progressing at the same time.

The ongoing structural works suggest that construction has gained momentum following renewed government commitment to complete the facility after years of inactivity.

President John Dramani Mahama inspected the hospital project on April 24, 2026, where he assured residents that the abandoned project would be completed and commissioned by November 2027.

During the inspection, the President described the completion of the La General Hospital as a priority for his administration, noting that restoring the facility would improve healthcare access for residents of La and neighbouring communities.

The project had remained stalled for years following the demolition of the old hospital in 2020, leaving thousands of residents without their primary referral healthcare facility.

Since the closure and demolition of the former La General Hospital, patients requiring medical care have had to travel to facilities including Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) and LEKMA Hospital, often covering longer distances to receive treatment.

The situation has particularly affected expectant mothers, children, the elderly and emergency patients, many of whom have experienced increased transportation costs, longer waiting times and overcrowded health facilities.

For residents of La, Teshie, Nungua and surrounding communities, the new hospital represents more than a construction project—it symbolises improved access to quality healthcare, faster emergency response and reduced pressure on existing hospitals within the capital.

Some residents who spoke to journalists welcomed the visible progress on the project and expressed confidence that the government's completion deadline could be achieved.

"I see steady progress. I believe they can meet the deadline. In recent times, the work has been impressive," one resident, Joel, remarked.

His comments reflect the optimism shared by many residents who have waited several years for construction to resume.

Despite the renewed construction activity, some residents raised concerns about what they described as a slowdown in the pace of work over the past month.

According to resident Madam Anabel, the number of workers on site has reduced significantly, with claims that some contractors have laid off workers because of financial constraints.

"Work is not moving as we expected. Most of the workers have left. They have been laid off. The workers are very few, so the work is not moving. We hear there is no money, so we will plead with the authorities to come around more often to inspect the project and engage the workers. There are issues on the ground," she alleged.

Another resident, Evelyn, echoed similar concerns.

"The work is slow. The workers have left too. So many of them. We hear there is no money to pay them, so we beg them to do something about it," she said.

The claims regarding funding and workforce reductions have not been independently verified, and project authorities have yet to publicly respond to the allegations.

Once completed, the new La General Hospital is expected to become one of the key referral healthcare facilities in the Greater Accra Region.

The modern facility is projected to offer expanded specialist healthcare services, increased inpatient capacity, improved emergency and trauma care, and enhanced medical infrastructure capable of serving thousands of residents annually.

Health experts believe the reopening of the hospital will significantly reduce congestion at nearby referral hospitals while improving access to timely and quality healthcare for residents across La, Teshie, Nungua and neighbouring communities.

With visible construction progress now underway, many residents remain hopeful that the government will sustain the momentum and deliver the long-awaited hospital within the promised November 2027 timeframe.