"Gov't to complete 35 agenda 111 hospitals as part of new strategy" – Health Minister

Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that government will directly finance and complete 35 selected Agenda 111 hospital projects as part of a broader strategy to operationalize the stalled healthcare infrastructure initiative.

Speaking on a Volta Region-based radio station on Friday, the Minister criticized the previous administration's implementation of the Agenda 111 programme, arguing that the project was launched without adequate financial planning.

Mr. Akandoh said he had consistently raised concerns about the initiative while serving as Ranking Member in Parliament, warning that constructing 111 hospitals simultaneously without secured funding would create significant challenges.

"I criticized this when I was in opposition, and I knew we would get to this point. No government can set out to build 111 hospitals without secured funding and proper planning. It is simply not possible," he stated.

According to the Minister, approximately GH¢4.8 billion has already been spent on the Agenda 111 programme, yet none of the facilities has been fully completed and operationalized.

"With proper planning, that amount could have been used to complete about 20 hospitals in phases, allowing government to identify challenges, resolve them and continue with the rollout," he said.

Despite his criticisms, Mr. Akandoh emphasized that the Mahama administration remains committed to ensuring that all inherited projects are completed.

He disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed that no inherited project should be abandoned, including the Agenda 111 hospitals.

"The President has instructed that no project inherited by this administration will be abandoned. We are determined to ensure that all the Agenda 111 hospitals are completed and made operational," he stressed.

The Health Minister explained that government has selected 35 hospital projects for immediate intervention, with the selection based on the level of completion and regional balance to ensure equitable distribution across the country.

"We looked at the completion levels and regional representation. Every region will benefit from the first phase. We did not want a situation where one region gets several hospitals because their projects are more advanced while other regions get none," he explained.

Mr. Akandoh revealed that the Volta Region is expected to benefit significantly from the first phase, with at least three or four projects likely to be completed under the government's intervention programme.

Beyond direct government funding, he outlined two additional strategies to accelerate completion of the remaining projects.

The Minister disclosed that faith-based healthcare providers, particularly members of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), are being invited to take over some unfinished facilities, complete them, equip them and manage their operations.

He noted that government already has a strong working relationship with CHAG institutions, including the payment of salaries for doctors, nurses and other health professionals working in their facilities.

"We have told CHAG that if they identify any Agenda 111 facility and are interested, government can hand it over to them to complete, equip and operate," he said.

Mr. Akandoh further announced plans to attract private sector participation through public-private partnership arrangements.

Under the proposed model, private investors would be allowed to complete and operate selected facilities for an agreed period before ownership reverts to the state under a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement.

"So there are three broad approaches: direct government intervention, partnerships with faith-based health institutions, and private sector participation. Together, these strategies will help us complete the Agenda 111 programme and ensure that the hospitals begin serving Ghanaians," he stated.

The Minister expressed confidence that the combined approach would accelerate the completion of the hospitals and strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith