Military Blocks Minority MPs from Accessing Afari Military Hospital During Inspection

A brief standoff occurred at the Afari Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday after military personnel reportedly prevented Minority members of Parliament’s Health Committee from accessing parts of the facility during an official inspection visit.

The lawmakers said they were at the hospital to assess the progress of the long-delayed project as part of Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibilities.

According to reports, soldiers stationed at the facility insisted that access to certain sections required prior authorisation and refused entry when the MPs were unable to provide the necessary clearance.

Witnesses said tensions rose as both sides engaged in a heated exchange over the issue.

The Minority MPs argued that their oversight role empowered them to inspect publicly funded projects without additional approval. Military officers, however, maintained that security protocols governing military installations must be respected and enforced.

Despite the disagreement, no injuries or arrests were reported.

The situation was eventually brought under control, but the committee was unable to inspect the sections at the centre of the dispute before leaving the facility.

The incident has renewed concerns about the future of the Afari Military Hospital project, which has experienced prolonged delays despite being considered a major healthcare infrastructure investment for the Ashanti Region.

Residents and healthcare stakeholders have expressed frustration over the slow pace of the project, with some arguing that the latest confrontation raises further questions about transparency, accountability, and the timeline for the hospital’s completion and operation.

As of Wednesday evening, neither Parliament’s Health Committee nor military authorities had issued an official statement regarding the incident.