…But No Single Facility Ready For Use
By Philip Antoh
After spending woefully $400m in a ‘419 Agenda 111 Project’ projected at build 111 hospitals across the country, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo could not complete even one single facility for use before exiting in 2024.
Nearly 10 months into government, the opposition NPP is accusing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for abandoning the Agenda 111hospital project meanwhile the else government wasted $400m on the matched talked about health relief system adopted by the NPP.
Based on the accusation, the Ministry of Health through it spokesperson Mr, Tony Goodma, clarified that no Agenda 111 hospital project has been abandoned and none of the completed structures is yet fit for use as a functional health facility.
Speaking on Adom FM, Mr. Goodman, explained that the previous government’s ambitious rollout of the project led to multiple construction challenges that now require review and proper coordination.
According to him, around $400 million has already been spent on the project, yet many facilities are still unfinished or lack the essential installations to function as hospitals.
“If we had taken our time, that money could have built about 20 fully equipped hospitals,” Mr. Goodman stated. “However, due to the rush, funds were given to contractors, and the projects started at the same time without proper planning.”
He revealed that the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) has evaluated all project sites and sent reports to the Minister of Health to help decide on the next steps.
“Some projects are 80% to 90% complete. A team from AESL has inspected them and provided a full briefing to the Minister,” he mentioned.
Mr. Goodman also pointed out that the current administration has inherited several issues, including a lack of dedicated funding for the projects.
“The NPP could not finish the project in four years, and in just nine months, people claim we haven’t accomplished anything. When a new administration takes over, it must first evaluate what is already there before proceeding,” he explained.
He added that the Agenda 111 initiative has now been transferred from the Office of the President to the Ministry of Health to ensure improved oversight, accountability, and auditing.
His remarks come after former Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye urged the government to clearly communicate its plans to Ghanaians regarding the completion of the project.
Dr. Okoe-Boye also warned that ongoing audits should not be used as an excuse for delays, emphasizing that even partial completion of the hospitals would enhance healthcare delivery across the country.
The Agenda 111 projects, which started in 2021, aimed to construct 111 hospitals throughout Ghana to enhance access to healthcare, especially in underserved regions.