The Ministry of Health has clarified that while no Agenda 111 hospital project has been abandoned, none of the completed structures is yet fit for use as a functional health facility.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Tony 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, about $400 million has already been spent on the project, but most of the facilities remain incomplete or lack the necessary installations to operate as hospitals.
“If we had taken our time, that amount could have been used to build about 20 fully furnished hospitals,” Mr. Goodman said. “But because we were in a rush, money was disbursed to contractors, and the projects began simultaneously without adequate planning.”
He disclosed that the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) has conducted assessments on all project sites and submitted reports to the Minister of Health to guide decisions on the next steps.
“Some of the projects are at 80% and 90% stages of completion. A team from AESL has inspected them and given a full briefing to the Minister,” he noted.
Mr. Goodman also emphasized that the current administration inherited several challenges, including the absence of dedicated funding for the projects.
“The NPP could not complete the project within four years, and in just nine months, people are saying we haven’t done anything. When an administration takes over, it must first assess what exists before continuing,” he stated.
He added that the Agenda 111 initiative has now been moved from the Office of the President to the Ministry of Health to ensure better oversight, accountability, and auditing.
His comments follow earlier remarks by former Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, who urged the government to communicate clearly to Ghanaians its plans for completing the project.
Dr. Okoe-Boye also cautioned that ongoing audits should not become an excuse for delays, stressing that even partial completion of the hospitals would boost healthcare delivery nationwide.
The Agenda 111 project, launched in 2021, aimed to build 111 hospitals across Ghana to improve access to healthcare, particularly in underserved areas.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
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