The much-anticipated Trede Hospital, touted as a key milestone under Ghana’s Agenda 111 initiative, remains incomplete and non-operational months after its commissioning, according to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Speaking during an inspection of the hospital in the Atwima Kwawonma Municipality of the Ashanti Region, the minister revealed that an estimated GHS 100 million is required to finalized construction and equip the facility for full operationalization
“We have come to inspect the Trede Agenda 111 hospital, and as you can see, the place is still under construction. I have been informed that the outstanding commitment is over GHS 100 million. Completion is one issue, operationalization is another, and even paying for work already done is also a challenge,” the minister explained during a press briefing.
This revelation comes as a stark contrast to the fanfare surrounding the commissioning of the hospital on December 5, 2024, just days before the general election. Then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presented the Trede facility as the first completed hospital under the Agenda 111—a flagship government initiative aimed at constructing 111 district and specialized hospitals to expand healthcare access across Ghana.
The Agenda 111 project was launched with the promise of revolutionizing Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure, but the current state of the Trede Hospital raises critical concerns about the initiative’s implementation and progress.
During a recent meeting with the Christian Council, President John Dramani Mahama confirmed that only one hospital under Agenda 111 has been fully completed. He further revealed that the government requires a staggering $1.7 billion to complete the remaining facilities.
The delays and funding challenges have drawn widespread criticism from healthcare stakeholders and civil society organizations, who are urging the government to prioritize the project. They argue that the successful completion of Agenda 111 is vital to improving healthcare delivery, especially in underserved areas.
The Trede Hospital’s incomplete state symbolizes broader concerns about the transparency, accountability, and funding of the Agenda 111 initiative. As Ghana grapples with significant healthcare challenges, stakeholders warn that failure to deliver on such a pivotal project could undermine public trust in government promises and exacerbate healthcare inequities.
For now, the fate of Trede Hospital—and the larger Agenda 111 initiative—remains uncertain, as Ghanaians wait to see if the government can secure the needed funds and deliver on its commitment to improve the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
