The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has criticized the previous administration for failing to secure stable funding to complete the ambitious Agenda 111 hospital projects. During a site tour of one of the project locations in Bokoro, situated in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region on March 8, the Minister emphasized the urgent need to address funding gaps to operationalize the facilities.
The Agenda 111 initiative, introduced under the Akufo-Addo administration, aimed to revolutionize Ghana’s healthcare system by constructing 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals, and specialized health facilities at an estimated cost of $1.9 billion. However, none of these hospitals had been operationalized by the end of the NPP government’s tenure, despite claims by President Akufo-Addo that three of the hospitals had been completed.
During the inspection at Bokoro, Mr. Akandoh observed that while the physical structure of the hospital is near completion, it lacks essential equipment and operational capacity. He disclosed that an additional 140 million cedis (approximately $9 million) would be required to complete the project and make it fully functional.
“The previous administration invested about $400 million into the project, yet no single hospital is operational. Completing and making these hospitals’ state assets requires not only physical structures but also fulfilling contractual obligations to contractors,” the Minister said.
He criticized the lack of a dedicated funding mechanism for the project, contrasting it with the approach of the erstwhile Mahama administration, which he claimed allocated funds for the completion of ongoing healthcare facilities. “Currently, contractors are still owed significant sums, and without reliable funds, the completion of these hospitals faces serious hurdles,” he lamented.
Adding to the challenges, some residents of Bokoro have expressed concerns about the hospital’s location, pointing out its proximity to a cement factory, which they fear might affect the health facility’s environment. Responding to these concerns, Mr. Akandoh assured residents that the government would ensure the facility is used effectively despite any limitations.
“We inherited this site, and given the resources already invested, abandoning it is not an option. We will find ways to make the most of it, as wasting state resources is not acceptable,” he explained.
The tour underscores the government’s commitment to assess the progress of the Agenda 111 projects and find sustainable solutions to ensure their completion. Mr. Akandoh reiterated the Ministry of Health’s resolve to prioritize these hospitals, which are critical to addressing gaps in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
