KEY POINTS
- None of the Agenda 111 hospitals are fully operational yet.
- The government is considering faith-based partnerships to speed up completion.
- Delays in the project have impacted healthcare access across Ghana.
Ghana’s Agenda 111 hospital project, once hailed as a transformative initiative, remains far from completion.
According to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, none of the 111 hospitals are fully operational, despite being inaugurated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo before he left office.
During an inspection tour at Atwima Kwanwoma Municipal Hospital in Trede, Akandoh confirmed that construction is still ongoing across multiple sites.
“When it comes to hospitals, it’s not just about buildings—it’s about facilities and staff,” he said. “Right now, we cannot call this place a hospital because construction is still ongoing.”
The Agenda 111 project was launched in 2021 with the promise of completing all hospitals within 18 months.
However, progress has been slow, with many facilities still far from being operational.
Government considers new strategies for project completion
President John Dramani Mahama has now tasked the Ministry of Health with overseeing the completion of the hospitals, transferring responsibility from the presidency.
One of the proposed solutions is to involve faith-based organizations in completing and managing some of the uncompleted hospitals.
Mahama criticized the previous administration for locating some of the hospitals near mission hospitals, arguing that the government could have partnered with faith-based organizations to expand existing health facilities rather than start from scratch.
“The Akufo-Addo administration should have collaborated with faith-based hospitals instead of starting new projects without ensuring their completion,” Mahama stated.
His government is now exploring ways to streamline resources and ensure that these hospitals become functional as soon as possible.
Project delays raise concerns over healthcare access
Ghana continues to face serious healthcare infrastructure challenges, with many communities still lacking accessible medical facilities.
According to Graphic Online, the delay in completing the Agenda 111 hospitals has only worsened the situation, leaving millions without proper healthcare access.
The original plan included 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals, two specialized hospitals, and the renovation of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
The hospitals were intended to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in underserved areas.
However, with construction delays, inadequate funding, and logistical issues, many of these hospitals remain unfinished.
The government now faces increasing pressure to deliver on its promise and provide much-needed healthcare infrastructure to Ghanaians.
