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Tag: Agenda 111

  • Agenda 111: 35 contractors paid $7.9m for no work done – Deputy Finance Minister reveals

    Agenda 111: 35 contractors paid $7.9m for no work done – Deputy Finance Minister reveals

    Thirty-five contractors hired under Ghana’s Agenda 111 programme did not move to their assigned sites or executed work that fell short of the advance mobilisation funds they had received, according to the government’s arrears audit findings.

    The disclosure was made in Ghana’s Parliament when Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem delivered a statement on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.

    In his address to legislators, Mr Ampem explained that the contractors had collectively been paid approximately US$7.9 million in advance mobilisation funds for the project, yet some failed to commence work while others undertook activities that did not reflect the payments made.

    The statement indicated that the Ghana Audit Service has since issued surcharge notices to the contractors implicated in the matter.

    These developments have intensified concerns surrounding the administration of the Agenda 111 project, widely regarded as one of the largest healthcare infrastructure programmes initiated during the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party government.

    Introduced in 2021, the project aimed to build 111 district and regional hospitals nationwide to expand healthcare access, particularly in communities lacking adequate medical facilities.

    Despite its objectives, the programme has repeatedly come under scrutiny due to construction delays, escalating costs, and concerns about monitoring and accountability.

    Mr Ampem also revealed that the advance payment guarantees associated with the 35 contracts have all lapsed, leaving the government with limited contractual safeguards to recover the money should the contractors fail to honour the surcharge directives.

    The Ministry of Finance did not specify whether further legal action or recovery strategies would be pursued beyond the measures already initiated by the Ghana Audit Service.

    It also remains uncertain how many of the proposed 111 hospitals have been completed or have reached significant stages of construction.

    The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has attributed the decision by President John Mahama to order an audit into the Agenda 111 project to the lack of clarity and transparency surrounding its implementation under the previous administration.

    Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr. Akandoh revealed that none of the hospitals promised under the initiative is currently operational.

    “None of the Agenda 111 hospitals is operational as we speak, which is why President Mahama has directed that an audit be conducted to understand the true status of the project,” he stated.

    He criticised the former Akufo-Addo administration for what he described as poor planning and mismanagement of the health infrastructure project.

    “We all know how Agenda 111 started. The way the project was handled wasn’t the best. Even if you intend to build 111 hospitals, you could stagger the project and complete them in phases,” the Minister said.

    He pointed out that the Akufo-Addo government had assured the public that some of the hospitals would be completed and handed over before the end of their term. However, none of these facilities are in use.

    “He mentioned that they had completed three hospitals and even commissioned some on December 5. But when President Mahama gave his first State of the Nation Address and referenced it, I went to verify, and unfortunately, none of those hospitals was operational,” Mr. Akandoh noted.

    Highlighting inconsistencies in the project’s financing, the Minister disclosed that about $400 million had already been spent out of the estimated $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion budgeted for the entire project.

    “The interesting part is, if they had staggered the project as they should have, by now we could have completed more than 20 hospitals with that amount. But that wasn’t the case,” he lamented.

    With the Agenda 111 initiative now under the purview of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Akandoh said steps are being taken to assess its feasibility and ensure proper execution moving forward.

    “President Mahama has directed us to audit the Agenda 111 project and present him with a clear blueprint for the way forward, and we’ve been given timelines,” he added.

    The Ministry of Health has dismissed statements made by former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, who claimed that three hospitals under the Agenda 111 initiative were completed, furnished with medical equipment, and inaugurated before the previous administration left office.

    During a press briefing on Monday, Dr. Adam asserted that three hospitals had been fully completed and that $1.3 billion had been allocated to finish the remaining Agenda 111 projects.

    However, in a statement released on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Health Ministry denied these assertions and urged the public to disregard them.

    The Ministry reported that on March 3, officials visited the Trede and Kokoben hospital sites in the Ashanti Region to evaluate progress. Their assessment found that essential medical infrastructure, including imaging devices, medical gas systems, and mortuary equipment, was yet to be installed.

    Despite the previous government investing $400 million in the initiative, the Ministry emphasized that none of the Agenda 111 hospitals had been completed and made operational. Although the facilities at Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta had been inaugurated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, construction was still in progress, with an estimated completion rate of 95 percent. Some laboratory sections remained unfinished, and no medical devices had been put in place.

    Furthermore, the Ministry clarified that these hospitals had not been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for use. It estimated that an additional $8.03 million would be required to make each of the three hospitals fully functional. The overall cost to complete all pending Agenda 111 hospital projects had now risen to $1.589 billion.

  • Gov’t to prosecute Agenda 111 contractors who failed to execute projects – Ofosu Kwakye

    Gov’t to prosecute Agenda 111 contractors who failed to execute projects – Ofosu Kwakye

    On Tuesday, March 10, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem disclosed that thirty (35) contractors under the then Akufo-Addo government’s Agenda 111 initiative received US$7.9 million in mobilisation funds but failed to start work on the projects.

    He made the revelation in Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, while presenting the Report of the Auditor-General on Arrears and Payables as at the end of 2024.

    The Deputy Finance Minister indicated that the contractors received an advance payment US$7.9m “but these contractors have either failed to mobilise to the site or the work done is not commensurate with the amount paid.”

    “Mr Speaker, the audit of Agenda 111 projects also revealed that a total amount of US$7.9 million was paid to 35 contractors as advance mobilisation under the programme, but these contractors have either failed to mobilise to the site or the work done is not commensurate with the amount paid,” he said.

    Reacting to the report, Mr Kwakye Ofosu, has assured a thorough investigation into the matter, adding, “The crimes have been identified, and people will be taken to court to punish them for these offences immediately”.

    These developments have intensified concerns surrounding the administration of the Agenda 111 project, widely regarded as one of the largest healthcare infrastructure programmes initiated during the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party government.

    Introduced in 2021, the project aimed to build 111 district and regional hospitals nationwide to expand healthcare access, particularly in communities lacking adequate medical facilities.

    Despite its objectives, the programme has repeatedly come under scrutiny due to construction delays, escalating costs, and concerns about monitoring and accountability.

    Mr Ampem also revealed that the advance payment guarantees associated with the 35 contracts have all lapsed, leaving the government with limited contractual safeguards to recover the money should the contractors fail to honour the surcharge directives.

    The Ministry of Finance did not specify whether further legal action or recovery strategies would be pursued beyond the measures already initiated by the Ghana Audit Service.

    It also remains uncertain how many of the proposed 111 hospitals have been completed or have reached significant stages of construction.

    The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has attributed the decision by President John Mahama to order an audit into the Agenda 111 project to the lack of clarity and transparency surrounding its implementation under the previous administration.

    Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr. Akandoh revealed that none of the hospitals promised under the initiative is currently operational.

    “None of the Agenda 111 hospitals is operational as we speak, which is why President Mahama has directed that an audit be conducted to understand the true status of the project,” he stated.

    He criticised the former Akufo-Addo administration for what he described as poor planning and mismanagement of the health infrastructure project.

    “We all know how Agenda 111 started. The way the project was handled wasn’t the best. Even if you intend to build 111 hospitals, you could stagger the project and complete them in phases,” the Minister said.

    He pointed out that the Akufo-Addo government had assured the public that some of the hospitals would be completed and handed over before the end of their term. However, none of these facilities are in use.

    “He mentioned that they had completed three hospitals and even commissioned some on December 5. But when President Mahama gave his first State of the Nation Address and referenced it, I went to verify, and unfortunately, none of those hospitals was operational,” Mr. Akandoh noted.

    Highlighting inconsistencies in the project’s financing, the Minister disclosed that about $400 million had already been spent out of the estimated $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion budgeted for the entire project.

    “The interesting part is, if they had staggered the project as they should have, by now we could have completed more than 20 hospitals with that amount. But that wasn’t the case,” he lamented.

    With the Agenda 111 initiative now under the purview of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Akandoh said steps are being taken to assess its feasibility and ensure proper execution moving forward.

    “President Mahama has directed us to audit the Agenda 111 project and present him with a clear blueprint for the way forward, and we’ve been given timelines,” he added.

    The Ministry of Health has dismissed statements made by former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, who claimed that three hospitals under the Agenda 111 initiative were completed, furnished with medical equipment, and inaugurated before the previous administration left office.

    During a press briefing on Monday, Dr. Adam asserted that three hospitals had been fully completed and that $1.3 billion had been allocated to finish the remaining Agenda 111 projects.

    However, in a statement released on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Health Ministry denied these assertions and urged the public to disregard them.

    The Ministry reported that on March 3, officials visited the Trede and Kokoben hospital sites in the Ashanti Region to evaluate progress. Their assessment found that essential medical infrastructure, including imaging devices, medical gas systems, and mortuary equipment, was yet to be installed.

    Despite the previous government investing $400 million in the initiative, the Ministry emphasized that none of the Agenda 111 hospitals had been completed and made operational. Although the facilities at Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta had been inaugurated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, construction was still in progress, with an estimated completion rate of 95 percent. Some laboratory sections remained unfinished, and no medical devices had been put in place.

    Furthermore, the Ministry clarified that these hospitals had not been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for use. It estimated that an additional $8.03 million would be required to make each of the three hospitals fully functional. The overall cost to complete all pending Agenda 111 hospital projects had now risen to $1.589 billion.

  • GHS140m needed to equip Bokoro Agenda 111 Hospital for operations – Health Minister

    GHS140m needed to equip Bokoro Agenda 111 Hospital for operations – Health Minister

    Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed that around GHS140 million is required to make the Bokoro Agenda 111 Hospital in Ahanta West Municipality fully operational.

    Despite being inaugurated three months ago, the facility remains non-functional.

    During a visit on Monday, March 10, Akandoh observed that only 10% of the essential medical equipment had been installed, making it impossible for the hospital to begin operations.

    The hospital was commissioned by former President Nana Akufo-Addo just two days before the December elections. However, Akandoh revealed that at the time of its inauguration, it was far from ready to serve the public.

    He stressed the urgent need for financial resources to complete the installation of vital medical equipment, ensuring the hospital is fully equipped to provide healthcare services to the community.

    “Completing the project is one thing, and paying for the project to become a property of the state is also another thing. As we speak, we need to cough not less than $9 million for this particular project alone.

    “When we talk about a hospital being in operation, it is not just the brick and mortar that is why I was requesting to see certain departments in the places. You cannot commission a project without hospital equipment being installed,” he stated.

  • Agenda 111: $24.09M needed to operationalise Trede, Kokoben, Ahanta hospitals – Health Ministry

    Agenda 111: $24.09M needed to operationalise Trede, Kokoben, Ahanta hospitals – Health Ministry

    The Ministry of Health has clarified that the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals under the Agenda 111 initiative remain unfinished, requiring a total of $24.09 million to become fully operational.

    This comes in response to claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority that the three hospitals were completed and operational. However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 4, the Ministry noted that while the facilities had reached 95% completion, critical components such as medical equipment and some laboratory facilities were yet to be installed.

    “Although Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals were commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the project is still under construction with an overall completion rate of 95%.

    No medical equipment has been installed, and some laboratory facilities are still under construction. The hospitals have not been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for operation. The estimated cost to make Trede, Kokoben and Ahantan facilities operational is $8.03 million each.”

    The Ministry explained that the required funds would cover the installation of essential medical equipment and the completion of pending construction works before the hospitals could serve the public.

    In light of concerns over financial mismanagement and project delays, the government has announced plans to audit the Agenda 111 initiative. The review will assess financial irregularities and consider private sector involvement in completing the stalled facilities.

    Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had tasked him with evaluating the initiative and providing recommendations on the best way forward.

    With the audit aimed at uncovering the extent of mismanagement, the government is also exploring alternative funding models to ensure the completion of the project.

    Agenda 111 was originally envisioned to bridge healthcare infrastructure gaps, particularly in underserved regions. The initiative includes the design, procurement, construction, equipping, and commissioning of 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals in newly created regions, one regional hospital in the Western Region, two psychiatric hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale, the rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi, and the redevelopment of Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

    Once completed, the project will stand as Ghana’s most extensive healthcare infrastructure investment since independence.

  • Health Minister visits Agenda 111 sites in Ashanti Region

    Health Minister visits Agenda 111 sites in Ashanti Region

    Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has toured several Agenda 111 project sites in the Ashanti Region to evaluate progress and identify challenges affecting the initiative.

    Speaking during his visit, Mr. Akandoh noted that the oversight of the project, which was initially managed under the Office of the President, has now been transferred to the Ministry of Health. He emphasized that this shift is expected to improve coordination and accelerate completion efforts.

    Providing updates on the status of the project, the minister revealed that none of the hospitals have been fully completed, as indicated in reports from project consultants. However, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring timely completion to enhance healthcare access across the country.

    To address financial constraints and construction delays, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that the government is exploring private sector partnerships to facilitate funding and expedite the execution of the hospitals.

    The Agenda 111 initiative was introduced to fill critical gaps in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure, especially in underserved regions. The project includes the construction of 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals for the newly created regions, an additional regional hospital for the Western Region, two psychiatric hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale, rehabilitation of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, and the redevelopment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. Each facility is expected to be equipped with modern medical infrastructure and staff accommodation.

    Once completed, the initiative will represent the most significant healthcare infrastructure investment in Ghana’s history, ensuring that quality medical services are accessible to communities nationwide.

  • Agenda 111 set for audit, govt open to private sector participation – Health Minister

    Agenda 111 set for audit, govt open to private sector participation – Health Minister

    The government has announced plans to audit the Agenda 111 project to assess financial mismanagement and explore private sector involvement in completing the stalled hospitals.

    Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed him to evaluate the initiative and provide recommendations on the way forward. 

    Speaking to The Independent Ghana after the president’s State of the Nation Address on February 28, he assured that the project would be handled effectively.

    “The first thing to do is to investigate and audit the whole project. After the auditing, Mr. President has tasked me to advise him on the way forward to deal with Agenda 111. But I can assure you that Agenda 111 will be handled adequately,” he stated.

    He raised concerns about the financial management of the initiative, highlighting that it lacked a dedicated funding source from the outset. The project, launched under the Akufo-Addo administration in 2020, aimed to construct 111 hospitals nationwide to improve healthcare accessibility. However, despite an estimated cost of $1.7 billion, the previous government proceeded with construction without securing the required funds.

    According to the Health Minister, approximately $400 million has been spent on the project so far. He questioned the efficiency of the expenditure, arguing that the amount should have been enough to complete at least 22 hospitals based on the initial cost estimate of $18 million per facility.

    “Per their own calculations, the $400 million could have completed at least 22 of the hospitals if pegged at $18 million per facility. Meanwhile, after spending that amount, not a single hospital has been operationalized to date,” he pointed out.

    With the audit set to establish the extent of financial mismanagement, the government is also considering private sector participation as part of efforts to ensure the successful completion of the project.

    While Agenda 111 was envisioned to bridge healthcare infrastructure gaps, particularly in underserved areas, its implementation has been marred by funding challenges and delays. The current administration has reiterated its commitment to accountability and efficiency in reviving the project.

    The scope of the Agenda 111(Hospital Infrastructure) project will cover the following deliverables:

    Design, Procure, Construct, Equip and Commission 101 No. District Hospitals, 6 No. Regional Hospitals in newly created regions, 1 No. Regional Hospital in the Western Region, 2 Psychiatric Hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale, Rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital-Sekondi and the Redevelopment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. All hospitals shall have a compliment of staff accommodation.

    On completion, this venture will be the largest investment in healthcare infrastructure in the country since independence.

  • Mahama reveals $1.7bn needed to complete Agenda 111 projects

    Mahama reveals $1.7bn needed to complete Agenda 111 projects

    President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that an estimated $1.7 billion is required to complete the unfinished Agenda 111 hospital projects across the country.

    Speaking during a meeting with the Christian Council, President Mahama expressed concern that nearly 90 of the healthcare facilities initiated under the previous administration remain incomplete.

    “The previous government started Agenda 111 but has not been able to finish the hospitals. There are so many of them unfinished. Even the ones they commissioned don’t have a single bed,” he lamented.

    To accelerate progress, Mahama suggested a partnership with religious organizations, allowing them to assist in completing some of the stalled projects.

    “If the missions have a hospital in an area, we are not coming to compete with the missions by building a hospital. We will use the resources to improve the mission hospitals so that they can provide the service,” he proposed.

    He further encouraged faith-based organizations interested in healthcare to take on the management of some of the facilities.

    Mahama also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that all the Agenda 111 projects are completed to meet the healthcare needs of Ghanaians.

    Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agenda 111 initiative aimed to construct 111 healthcare facilities, including regional and psychiatric hospitals, to strengthen Ghana’s health infrastructure.

    Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who introduced the program, reiterated its importance during his final State of the Nation Address on January 3, 2025.

    While some progress has been made, many facilities remain incomplete, with Akufo-Addo urging Mahama to prioritize the initiative’s completion to improve healthcare delivery across the country.

  • $1.4bn needed to complete Akufo-Addo’s non-functioning Agenda 111 hospitals – Omane Boamah

    $1.4bn needed to complete Akufo-Addo’s non-functioning Agenda 111 hospitals – Omane Boamah

    Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has criticized the current state of the Agenda 111 hospital projects initiated under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, emphasizing that none of the facilities are operational despite substantial financial allocations.

    In a Facebook post on Saturday, January 4, 2025, Dr. Boamah revealed that an estimated $1.4 billion would be required to complete the hospitals, which remain unfinished as the President’s tenure nears its end.

    His comments came after President Akufo-Addo’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Friday, January 3.

    During the address, the President highlighted the Agenda 111 initiative as a pivotal project aimed at transforming Ghana’s healthcare system. He described it as a significant step towards addressing the country’s healthcare infrastructure deficits.

    The Agenda 111 initiative, launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, sought to build 111 district and regional hospitals, including psychiatric facilities, across the nation.

    While acknowledging some progress, Dr. Boamah stressed that the facilities remain non-functional despite the substantial resources allocated to the initiative.

    As President Akufo-Addo prepares to leave office in three days, he has called on President-elect John Dramani Mahama to prioritize the completion of the Agenda 111 hospitals, expressing hope that the full execution of the project would greatly improve healthcare delivery nationwide.

  • Ensure Agenda 111 project is completed – Akufo-Addo urges Mahama

    Ensure Agenda 111 project is completed – Akufo-Addo urges Mahama

    Outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged the incoming administration of John Mahama to ensure the completion of the Agenda 111 hospital projects aimed at strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.

    Speaking during his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Friday, January 3, Akufo-Addo highlighted his efforts to build a robust healthcare infrastructure, with the Agenda 111 initiative as a key component.

    “The most important intervention is the Agenda 111 project that we have embarked upon. I am hoping that the incoming Mahama administration will ensure that the project is completed, so we can have our health infrastructure in a sound state,” he said.

    The President disclosed that out of the 111 district hospitals and two psychiatric hospitals planned under the initiative, three have already been completed and commissioned, while the rest are at various stages of completion.

    The Agenda 111 project, launched by the Akufo-Addo government, seeks to construct healthcare facilities in 90 districts across the country, especially targeting areas lacking major health centers. However, some of the projects remain at the foundation level, despite significant financial investments.

    The initiative has cost the state millions of dollars, and the government recently announced the need for additional funding to ensure the completion of the ongoing construction works.

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  • Awutu Bereku: 4 nabbed in connection with stolen Agenda 111 building materials

    Awutu Bereku: 4 nabbed in connection with stolen Agenda 111 building materials

    The Ghana Police Service has arrested four individuals for allegedly stealing building materials meant for the construction of an Agenda 111 hospital at Awutu Bereku in the Central Region.

    The arrest, which occurred on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, was made in collaboration with members of the Awutu Bereku community.

    The suspects were apprehended after police intercepted a Man Diesel truck with registration number GT 8715-Z, driven by one of the suspects, identified as Kwabena Ayamba. The truck was loaded with assorted building materials.

    Preliminary police investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly contracted by the project’s contractor to transport the items from the Agenda 111 project site to Tema.

    The suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to apprehend the said contractor to face justice.

  • 5 out of 47 Agenda 111 hospitals to be commissioned in Ashanti Region – Miracles Aboagye

    5 out of 47 Agenda 111 hospitals to be commissioned in Ashanti Region – Miracles Aboagye

    Spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign and the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer for the 2024 election, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has announced that five out of the 47 Agenda 111 hospitals are set to be commissioned in the Ashanti Region.

    Speaking on Joy News’s AM Show on Monday, November 4, 2024, Aboagye confirmed that these hospitals are fully constructed and ready for use.

    “Between 45 and 47 of them will be commissioned before the end of the year,” he stated during the show. “They will be commissioned and put to use.”

    Mr Aboagye further added, “As we speak, most of them are nearly complete in terms of the installation of their equipment, and about five of them are in the Ashanti Region.”

    He emphasized that Dr. Bawumia is committed to continuing and completing the remaining projects if given the opportunity to lead the country in the upcoming elections. The current government aims to build a total of 104 mega hospitals across Ghana, with the Agenda 111 projects incurring a national expenditure of approximately $7.65 billion.

    The Agenda 111 projects, officially known as Ghana’s Priority Health Infrastructure Projects, are designed to enhance the quality of healthcare across the nation. The initiative includes the construction of seven regional hospitals, two regional psychiatric hospitals catering to the northern and middle belt zones, and one new national psychiatric hospital in Accra.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo provided an update on the progress of the Agenda 111 initiative, revealing that eight district hospitals are nearing completion. As of September 2024, the overall progress of the project stands at 69%. The president expressed optimism, noting that many of these hospitals are over 90% finished and are expected to be fully operational before the year’s end. “These projects represent the fulfilment of our commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring the delivery of more efficient healthcare services across the country,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.

    On Friday, October 18, 2024, President Akufo-Addo inaugurated a state-of-the-art Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, further underscoring the government’s dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure.

    The successful commissioning of these hospitals is part of a broader strategy to provide accessible and high-quality healthcare to all Ghanaians. By expanding the network of medical facilities, the government aims to reduce regional disparities in healthcare access and ensure that advanced medical services are available throughout the country.

    As the year progresses, the focus remains on completing the remaining Agenda 111 projects, with continuous monitoring and support to ensure that these facilities are equipped and ready to serve the public effectively. The completion of these hospitals is expected to significantly bolster Ghana’s healthcare system, providing critical services and improving health outcomes for communities nationwide.

  • NPP led Agenda 111 project to employ over 67,000 Ghanaians – Akufo-Addo

    NPP led Agenda 111 project to employ over 67,000 Ghanaians – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has announced that the government’s Agenda 111 Hospital Projects will generate approximately 67,000 jobs upon completion.

    Emphasizing the project’s importance, he noted that each hospital, which will employ over 100 people, highlights Agenda 111 as a transformative initiative.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the Adansi North Hospital in Fomena, Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo reiterated the government’s dedication to completing the hospitals.

    “There’s an average number of 120 workers on each construction site, and when completed, an average of 559 persons will be employed in a district hospital, 1,343 in the regional hospital, and 947 in each psychiatric hospital.

    This means that 67, 635 people will be employed in the Agenda 111 Hospitals,” President Akufo-Addo assured.

    The Agenda 111 hospital project, a key initiative of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, aims to greatly improve healthcare accessibility across the nation.

    Recently, President Akufo-Addo inaugurated the 120-bed Fomena Hospital in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region, concluding a long delay in its completion.

    Originally started in 2014, the project encountered multiple setbacks due to funding issues, prompting concerns from residents of the Adansi Traditional Area who called on authorities to expedite its completion.

    During the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the hospital’s completion underscores the government’s dedication to delivering modern healthcare facilities that meet current standards nationwide.

  • Residents appeal for expedited work on Kpassa Agenda 111 District Hospital

    Residents appeal for expedited work on Kpassa Agenda 111 District Hospital

    Work on the Agenda 111 District Hospital project at Kpassa in the Nkwanta-North District, Oti Region, has fallen behind schedule, missing the January 2024 completion deadline.

    The project, which began in August 2022 and was initially reported to be 30.8% complete in September 2023, is currently at about 65% completion.

    The hospital, designed to have a 60-bed capacity, aims to serve over 120,000 residents in the district and surrounding areas.

    Despite assurances from the former Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, and the Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, that funding had been secured for the project to be completed on time, the current progress indicates a significant delay.

    Workers from the lead contractor, Venus Infrastructure, were observed on site, focusing on various aspects of the project such as roofing, plastering, plumbing, and electrical works. However, the surgical block and residential blocks were yet to be roofed, and the generator yard was still under construction.

    The Resident Consultant of the project, Wonder Dzamade, mentioned that if all three contractors were on site, it would be possible to complete the project within a reasonable timeframe.

    However, he did not specify the exact reasons for the delay, citing common issues such as delayed release of funds, non-availability of materials, and technical challenges as possible causes.

    In response to the situation, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Nkwanta-North, William Kidignan Nawugma, emphasized the importance of providing the necessary resources for the completion of the project.

    Residents of Kpassa expressed their desire for the swift completion of the hospital, highlighting the potential improvement in healthcare accessibility and quality of life for the community once the hospital becomes operational.

  • Dr Ayew Afriye chastises Mahama over Agenda 111 comment

    Dr Ayew Afriye chastises Mahama over Agenda 111 comment

    Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, has criticized former President John Dramani Mahama for inconsistency in his recent remarks regarding the Agenda 111 Hospitals project undertaken by the Akufo-Addo-led government.

    Dr. Afriye pointed out that Mahama’s characterization of the project as overly ambitious contradicts the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s manifesto prior to the 2020 presidential election.

    In reference to a press conference he led for the Majority in Parliament on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Dr. Afriye emphasized the need for leaders to uphold consistency in their statements and actions.

    He argued that Mahama’s suggestion to scale back the project to around 40 hospitals was inconsistent with the NDC’s promise to construct approximately 96 hospitals.

    “The press conference led by myself on behalf of the majority was to drum home a situation that, if not checked… this country will be led by leaders based upon what they say and not what they mean, and that is based upon the claim by the former president that we should have focused on Agenda 111 by stating that maybe we will do about 40 hospitals and that he thinks it was an over-ambitious position for the president and then also that it was unrealistic.

    “I think that couldn’t have been the position of the former president. It makes him absolutely inconsistent,” he stated in reference to a press conference he led for the Majority in Parliament earlier on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

    As a guest on Joynews’ PM Express on Tuesday night, Dr. Nana Afriye, also the Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, praised President Akufo-Addo’s ambition of establishing 111 new hospitals as a commendable step toward achieving universal healthcare delivery in Ghana.

    He defended the government’s optimism regarding the project, citing historical examples of bold leadership and policy implementation despite initial skepticism.

    Initiated by President Akufo-Addo on August 17, 2021, the Agenda 111 project aims to build 111 district hospitals nationwide to enhance healthcare accessibility.

    “Therefore, what was the reason why the NDC came out with this? Was it that it was mere talk, mere rhetoric? And if you say we are over-ambitious and we could have cut it to 40, you are going to 96. So what were you thinking about when you were going for yours, and what were we also thinking?” he stated.

    “We would go for optimism. All over the world, there have been leaders who have been bold; they will come out with a policy, and people will say no, you can’t do it. They may start, and others will complete it. In history, they have been vindicated,” he added.

    Despite delays due to economic challenges, Dr. Afriye expressed hope that 50 to 60 hospitals would be ready for commissioning by year-end, citing issues such as land litigation as contributing factors to the construction delay.

    He contrasted the modest number of hospitals built and commissioned under previous administrations with the scale of President Akufo-Addo’s Agenda 111, characterizing it as groundbreaking.

  • It is unreasonable to construct 80 hospitals under Agenda 111 at a go – Mahama to govt

    It is unreasonable to construct 80 hospitals under Agenda 111 at a go – Mahama to govt

    Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has criticized the government’s Agenda 111 project, which aims to construct over 80 hospitals simultaneously.

    He emphasized that embarking on such a massive construction project without a clear and sustainable source of funding is unreasonable.

    Mr. Mahama expressed these reservations during a dialogue with clergy members in Accra, stating that the government’s agenda appears unrealistic and may not be achievable within a reasonable timeframe.

    “This government started their Agenda 111 as they call it and they started with 80 hospitals. I don’t know what survey was done before the hospitals were being put up, but most of them are at a certain stage of completion. One would have thought that they would start with what they can do and finish,” he is quoted by MyJoyOnline to have said.

    He proposed an alternative approach, suggesting that it would have been more sensible to begin with a smaller number of hospitals, such as 40, ensuring their completion before initiating further projects.

    “And so if you can do 40 hospitals, finish and open them, then you start another. But you spread to 80 hospitals, and by the time they leave office, I don’t think many of them would have been completed,” he said.

  • Reconsider locations of some Agenda 111 hospitals – GSS to govt

    Reconsider locations of some Agenda 111 hospitals – GSS to govt

    The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has raised concerns about the government’s Agenda 111 initiative, particularly focusing on the locations and accessibility of healthcare facilities across the country.

    Based on findings from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Report, which involved surveying 618 clusters across 261 administrative districts, the GSS revealed that a significant 40% of Ghanaian women aged 15 to 49 face travel times exceeding 30 minutes to 2 hours for healthcare access.

    Government Statistician Prof. Kobina Anim emphasized the need for urgent action to address this issue and avert potential challenges in the future. These concerns were brought to light during the presentation of the mentioned report on Thursday, January 18.

    “We identify that about 2/5 that is in excess of 40% of women aged 15 to 49 years were travelling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility.

    “This puts into context the government’s intervention of Agenda 111 where it is being situated and the extent it is going to affect the fact that we have people traveling in excess of 30 minutes, specifically 40% of people traveling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility.

    “Of importance to us is the disaggregation across the 16 administrative regions.”

    “And from the perspective of those travelling more than two hours to access the nearest health facility where we identify the Oti region as having more than 10% of women aged 15 to 49 years travelling over two hours to access the nearest facility. The range is from 0.8 in the Eastern region to 11.6%.

    “This is where the conversation around the situation of Agenda 111 should be reflected. As in is it dominant in these places where we see a lot more people travelling over two hours to access a health facility,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, affirmed his commitment to addressing the disparities within the health sector.

    “While some targets have been met nationally, it is a concern that several regions fall short, showing substantial regional disparities for almost all indicators including skill delivery, and percentage of children without vaccinations.

    “In the face of these challenges, our service commits to providing strong leadership and clear guidance to ensure coordination among multiple partners of the sector.”

    “I must say that the regional disparities also shore gross disparity among the newly created regions which we see also and that is why GHS moved in there very early to ensure that we can focus on these deprived areas. And we are hoping that the next DHS will show better results in these areas.

    “So we pledge to deliver high-quality services at both the facility and community levels, but we will require the support of our media and the entire population to ensure that this is done,” he said.

  • Agenda 111: 40% of Ghanaian women face difficulties in accessing Healthcare facilities – Report

    Agenda 111: 40% of Ghanaian women face difficulties in accessing Healthcare facilities – Report

    The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has voiced apprehensions regarding the government’s Agenda 111 initiative, specifically expressing concerns about the locations and accessibility of healthcare facilities nationwide.

    The 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Report, which encompassed 618 clusters across 261 administrative districts, revealed that a notable 40% of Ghanaian women aged 15 to 49 experience travel times exceeding 30 minutes to 2 hours for healthcare access.

    During the presentation of the report on Thursday, January 18, Government Statistician Prof. Kobina Anim emphasized the urgent need for action to address this issue and prevent potential challenges in the the presentation of the said report on Thursday, January 18.

    “We identify that about 2/5 that is in excess of 40% of women aged 15 to 49 years were travelling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility.

    “This puts into context the government’s intervention of Agenda 111 where it is being situated and the extent it is going to affect the fact that we have people traveling in excess of 30 minutes, specifically 40% of people traveling in excess of 30 minutes to access the nearest health facility.

    “Of importance to us is the disaggregation across the 16 administrative regions.”

    “And from the perspective of those travelling more than two hours to access the nearest health facility where we identify the Oti region as having more than 10% of women aged 15 to 49 years travelling over two hours to access the nearest facility. The range is from 0.8 in the Eastern region to 11.6%.

    “This is where the conversation around the situation of Agenda 111 should be reflected. As in is it dominant in these places where we see a lot more people travelling over two hours to access a health facility,” he said.

    Director-General of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, reiterates commitment to tackling disparities in the health sector.

    “While some targets have been met nationally, it is a concern that several regions fall short, showing substantial regional disparities for almost all indicators including skill delivery, and percentage of children without vaccinations.

    “In the face of these challenges, our service commits to providing strong leadership and clear guidance to ensure coordination among multiple partners of the sector.”

    “I must say that the regional disparities also shore gross disparity among the newly created regions which we see also and that is why GHS moved in there very early to ensure that we can focus on these deprived areas. And we are hoping that the next DHS will show better results in these areas.

    “So we pledge to deliver high-quality services at both the facility and community levels, but we will require the support of our media and the entire population to ensure that this is done,” he said.

  • Nsiah-Asare hails govt’s Agenda 111 project

    Nsiah-Asare hails govt’s Agenda 111 project

    The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, has characterized the government’s Agenda 111 project as one of the most extraordinary healthcare infrastructure endeavors globally.

    This ambitious initiative, officially launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on August 17, 2021, is designed to build a total of 111 hospitals across the nation.

    During an interview on the Point of View program on Citi TV in Accra, Dr. Nsiah-Asare underscored the immense magnitude of the Agenda 111 project.

    “Since 31st May 2023, we have been monitoring the Agenda 111 project which in my mind is one of the most unprecedented health infrastructure projects in the whole world,” he said.

    “Yes, we haven’t seen any government in the whole world starting hospital infrastructure in the magnitude of 111 hospitals made up of 101 district hospitals, three psychiatric hospitals, seven regional hospitals.”

    “And it is not only in one or two regions, they are found in all the 16 regions. In fact the region with the least number of projects may be Western North with four, three district hospitals and one regional hospital.”

    In a previous interview, Dr. Nsiah-Asare also highlighted that the project has generated substantial job opportunities for the people of Ghana.

    “When this project started, the contractors employed a lot of our local artisans; the carpenters, masons, steel benders, and most other artisans in other areas,” he said.

    “Apart from that, there are people who are also selling pure water, and food for the workers and we have created some jobs in the local community even before the buildings are completed and commissioned.”

  • Agenda 111: Govt accused of land grabbing, destroys school building in Nima demolition exercise

    Agenda 111: Govt accused of land grabbing, destroys school building in Nima demolition exercise

    Startling revelations have emerged following a recent demolition exercise in Nima, a bustling suburb of Accra, which has sparked accusations of land grabbing against the government.

    A Kofi TV report sheds light on the destruction of a school building, a church facility, and a prominent workshop housing over 100 engineers in the area.

    The land in question, believed to hold historical significance, was home to a school building, a church facility, and a diverse workshop specializing in various engineering disciplines, including electric welding, electrical mechanics, gas welding, engine repair, and more.

    Heartbroken residents returned from work to find their homes and livelihoods reduced to rubble. While acknowledging receipt of evacuation notices, they claim they were left in the dark about the timing of the demolition.

    An affected resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, lamented the loss of their livelihoods, stating, “They are now destroying people’s shops. Some of us, this is where we get our daily bread. You did not relocate us, you did not find new jobs for us.” The resident argued that had the land truly belonged to the government, it would have been repurposed for public use long ago.

    The workshop, a hub of skilled professionals, was a testament to expertise in various fields, including air conditioning, engine repair, and more. “This place is a fitting shop, with different specialists,” the resident explained. “We had over 30 experts… If I tell you we were not notified, I will be lying. We were notified, and we showed it to the chiefs here.” The account further details a night of disruption, as police and utility officials descended upon the area, disconnecting utilities and leaving residents powerless.

    The demolition has taken a toll on the community, particularly its children. Some returned from school to find their homes razed to the ground, leading to tears and bewilderment. Appeals for relocation have reportedly yielded no results.

    Kofi TV’s investigation brings to light a significant twist. The government’s alleged plan to incorporate the land into the ambitious “Agenda 111” project, which aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure, has raised eyebrows. 

    Local residents and chiefs maintain that they were kept in the dark about the government’s intentions, and they question the legality of the land acquisition. Some even speculate that the demolition might be a strategic manoeuvre to seize the land for private interests.

    The land’s proximity to the President’s residence, the Nima police station, and the Nima roundabout has added a layer of complexity to the situation. Local chiefs have expressed their anger and concern over the government’s actions, further fuelling suspicions of a hidden agenda.

    As this saga unfolds, questions about transparency, accountability, and the rights of long-standing residents loom large. 

  • La General Hospital integrated into Agenda 111

    La General Hospital integrated into Agenda 111

    The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has announced that the La General Hospital has been integrated into the government’s Agenda 111 initiative.

    The appointed contractor is expected to initiate the project’s work before November.

    This announcement follows Solomon Kotey Nikoi, the Municipal Chief Executive for La Dade-Kotopon, expressing concerns about the unresolved reconstruction of La General Hospital during a meeting with the Regional Minister.

    The hospital’s reconstruction, which began two years ago, was halted, causing anxiety among residents.

    The government had initially demolished the health facility to pave the way for an enhanced healthcare infrastructure. Nonetheless, construction hasn’t commenced.

    Addressing these delays, Henry Quartey assured the community of his unwavering dedication to completing the project swiftly.

    “On the issue of the La General Hospital, we have been following the matter and I know very well that a decision has been taken at Cabinet and Agenda 111 will move there soon to commence work. As to the time, I don’t know but let’s say that latest by November, the contractor should have moved to site.”

  • Agenda 111 Projects to function as Teaching Hospitals – Dr Nsiah Asare reveals

    Agenda 111 Projects to function as Teaching Hospitals – Dr Nsiah Asare reveals

    Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsia Asare, has revealed that once the Agenda 111 hospitals are completed, they will also serve as vital teaching institutions for medical professionals.

    According to him, the hospitals will be equipped with state of the art equipment which will not only provide holistic healthcare to Ghanaians across the country but will also facilitate the smooth teaching of students in the health sector.

    Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare said this on Thursday, June 29, 2023 when the Ministry of Information, Ghana Infrastructure Fund Health Division, Agenda 111 Implementation Secretariat and other allied stakeholders in the health sector visited the site for Agenda 111 project at Trede in the Atwiman Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region.

    The Information Ministry used the occasion to do its usual ministers, departments and agencies press briefing at Trede to update the public on the progress of work.

    Dr. Anthony Nsia Asare addressing the media said work on the Trede hospital is now 61 percent complete with another 87 at various stages of completion.

    He assured the public of the government’s commitment to completing the entire project as promised by President Akufo-Addo.

    Unprecedented Infrastructure Project

    Dr. Nsiah Asare again emphasized that no government in the world’s history has embarked on more massive infrastructural projects in the health sector than the Akufo-Addo led administration.

    The renowned health expert believes the government’s Agenda 111 which seeks to provide one hundred and eleven hospitals across the country is the biggest ever project in the health sector across the world.

    President Akufo-Addo in August 2021 performed the ground-breaking ceremony on the project at Atwima Kwanwoma in the Ashanti Region.

    The Agenda 111 project includes 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialized hospitals in the middle and northern belts, as well as a regional hospital in the Western Region and renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

  • Contracts of 3 Agenda 111 contractors terminated

    Contracts of 3 Agenda 111 contractors terminated

    Contracts of three contractors under the Agenda 111 project in the Ashanti region have been terminated by the government.

    The contractors were working on the projects sited at Kunsu in the Ahafo Ano South-West District, Manso Adubia in the Amansie South District, Nsuta in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Refgion.

    The contractors, according to the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, failed to meet the Key Performance Indicators (KPI).

    He said this at the Minister’s press briefing on the progress of the Agenda 111 hospital projects held at the Trede project site in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti region, which is 62 percent complete.

    Mr Nkrumah, therefore, urged the various contractors working on the hospital projects to do well to meet the KPIs or risk having their contracts terminated.

    The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Nsiah Asare, indicated that the IMF conditionalities will not affect the Agenda 111 projects.

    Dr Nsiah Asare also assured unemployed health workers, especially nurses and doctors more jobs when the projects are completed.

  • Agenda 111: 88 hospitals currently under construction – Information Minister

    Agenda 111: 88 hospitals currently under construction – Information Minister

    A total of 88 hospitals are under government’s Agenda 111 programme are currently under construction, according to Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah.

    Mr Kojo-Oppong Nkrumah provided updates on the Agenda 111 programme which is to see the construction of 111 health facilities during a press briefing in Trede, Ashanti Region, on Thursday, June 29, where the project was launched two years ago.

    “The brief I have is that 88 are currently under construction and it is grouped into eight zones and in those eight zones, you will find 54 projects. We have visited 33 sites so far and we thought that coming to Trede, where it all began, it is important to showcase from Trede all that has gone on so far.”

    “We have also provided you with the reports of the sites that we have visited so far, the majority of them that are doing well, the few of them that are behind schedule,” he said.

    Mr Oppong-Nkrumah stated that some of the hospitals which are behind schedule have been terminated.

    During the launch of the Agenda 111 programme on August 17, 2021, President Akufo-Addo vowed to complete work within 18 months, but government has failed to fulfil its promise due to challenges in acquiring land for construction, among others.

    This has led to doubts about the government’s commitment to the projects, however, the government remains confident that all the hospitals will be completed before the end of President Akufo-Addo’s second term.

    Also addressing the press, the Presidential advisor on health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, assured that there is sufficient funding available for the completion of the project.

    Government secured US$100 million start-up fund through the Ghana Investment Infrastructure Fund (GIIF) for the commencement of works on ‘Agenda 111’ district, specialised and regional hospitals across the country.

    Dr Nsiah Asare reiterated the benefits of the programme, which include more health facilities, creation of employment opportunities for nurses which will contribute to the overall economic growth of Ghana.

    Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • Drag Agenda 111 contractors to site now – Minority

    Drag Agenda 111 contractors to site now – Minority

    The Minority in Parliament wants the government to as a matter of urgency ensure that contractors assigned to the Danfa District Hospital in the Greater Accra Region under the agenda 111 policy return to site to commence work on the project.

    The group bemoans that despite the allocation of over 1 million dollars as mobilization fund to the contractors since last year [2022], work is yet to start on the health facility.

    During a visit to the proposed site by the minority members on the Health Committee of Parliament, the Ranking Member, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh urged the government to be committed to the project.

    “Approximately $1.3 million has been paid to these contractors, and so we were expecting that at least by now we could see some structures on site. But unfortunately, there’s no structure on-site at all.

    “And so we are calling on government to immediately find the whereabouts of these companies/contractors. We should see some action at site, because they have been paid,” the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament fumed.

  • Paga Pio hails Akufo-Addo government over Agenda 111 project

    The chief says the initiative will bring healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the citizenry.

    The paramount chief of the Paga Traditional Area in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, Pe Awiah Awumpaga II has lauded the government for its Agenda 111 project.

    He said that the initiative will bring healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the citizenry, which has been one of the major challenges faced by the nation.

    The chief was particularly happy that his traditional area is a beneficiary of the innovative initiative, underscoring its significance in saving lives and improving the health needs of residents in the area.

    The Paga Pio Pe Awiah Awumpaga II with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
    The Paga Pio Pe Awiah Awumpaga II with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

    He was speaking during a courtesy call on him by Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia.

    “I wish to commend the Akufo-Addo government for its vision of bringing healthcare to the doorstep of the citizenry with Agenda 111,” Awumpaga II said.

    “There would not have been a better place to site this project than my area. I am convinced that upon completion, my subjects and I will benefit from it. It would also save us the struggle of travelling to Navrongo and Bolga for certain services once they would be available here for us,” he added.

    Dr Mahamudu Bawumia inspecting one of the Agenda 111 sites in the Upper East Region
    Dr Mahamudu Bawumia inspecting one of the Agenda 111 sites in the Upper East Region

    The Agenda 111 project includes 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialized hospitals in the middle and northern belts, as well as a regional hospital in the Western Region and renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

    The objective of the project is to significantly deepen the delivery of quality healthcare at the district level, and boost access to healthcare services for all citizens towards ensuring the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Three.

    Source: Asaaseradio.com

     

  • Agenda 111 closing up 60-year health access gap – Bawumia

    The decision to undertake arguably the largest investment in the country’s health care system, Agenda 111, arose from the government’s determination to close the gaping lack of access to healthcare facilities, especially in remote areas of the country, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has explained.

    Inspecting the progress of work in one of the dozens of new hospitals under construction across the country at Bunkprugu in the North East Region on Tuesday, 4th October 2022, Dr Bawumia said this was the first time a concerted effort has been made to ensure that every Ghanaian, irrespective of where they live, has access to a quality health facility within a relatively short distance.

    “The Agenda 111 Project is to bridge a 60-year gap in access to health facilities across the country. 90 districts in our country do not have District Hospitals. Six Regions do not have Regional Hospitals. Large parts of our country do not have access to Specialist hospital facilities and services. This is despite over 60 years of being Independent.

    “So the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took the bold decision to build these hospitals and meet the health care needs of the people of Ghana, to ensure that every District has a hospital and every Region has a Regional Hospital. This will greatly increase access to health care, prevent avoidable, preventable deaths and reduce the suffering of our people,” he added.

    The Agenda 111 project involves the construction and/or upgrading of 101 district hospitals, the construction of six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialised hospitals in the middle and northern belts, as well as a regional hospital in the Western Region and renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

    Officials of the Ministry of Health say the Project, when completed, will significantly deepen the delivery of quality healthcare at the district level and boost access to healthcare services for all citizens towards ensuring the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Three.

    The Vice President had earlier inspected ongoing works at Savelugu and Yendi, both in the Northern Region, as part of the first leg of his working visit to the five northern regions of Ghana. He was accompanied by Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, Presidential Adviser on Health, Hon Ambrose Dery, Minister for the Interior, and other government officials.

  • I’m satisfied with Agenda 111 projects in Northern Region – Dr Bawumia

    The Member of Parliament for New Juaben North, Nana Adjei Boateng, who called for a relook of drainage systems in Koforidua, has partly blamed the intense flooding on illegal mining activities upstream.

    Addressing the media after touring some of the projects to assess progress of work yesterday, Dr Bawumia said: “I am very happy with the pace of work so far; I never knew the contractors had gone this far.”

    The Vice-President began his two-day tour of the region last Sunday.

    Significance

    Dr Bawumia said the Agenda 111 initiative was an aggressive approach to addressing the healthcare infrastructure deficit in the country.

    He said after 60 years of independence, there were still about 90 districts across the country without hospitals to serve the people.

    “One of the things that we have to appreciate fundamentally is that Agenda 111 is really a bold initiative by the government because we are saying that every district should have a hospital; that is the vision,” he said.

    According to him, about 87 hospitals were at various stages of construction across the country, with the five regions of the north having about 27 of those projects.

    Courtesy call

    As part of the tour, the Vice-President paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Savelugu Traditional Area, Yoo-Na Yakubu Abdulai Andani, at his palace.

    He commended the chief for his immense contribution towards the attainment of peace in the region, saying: “You are the reason there is peace in Dagbon today and we must commend you.”

    For his part, Yoo-Na Andani lauded the government for initiating interventions which he said were helping to improve the fortunes of the people.

    He appealed for the establishment of a technical and vocational training institute in the area to help equip the youth with employable skills.

    Source: Graphiconline

  • Government uses $75 million petroleum revenue for Agenda 111 project – PIAC

    Public Interest Accountability Committee (PIAC) has revealed that the Akufo-Addo-led administration has used a total of $75 million in petroleum revenue for the Agenda 111 project.

    PIAC disclosed in its semi-annual report for the first half of 2022 on the management and use of petroleum revenue that the government disbursed US$49.4 million in 2021 through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).

    Further information provided by the committee showed that $25.6 million was paid out in the first half of 2022.

    According to the Committee, GIIF had established a new ring-fenced subsidiary vehicle known as H-GIIF to execute the transaction and make all payments to the contractors.

    “GIIF has indicated that it has been engaged by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to help ensure administrative and project management efficiencies as well as payment integrity throughout the process, especially for the 101 standard 60/100-bed district hospitals,” the report noted.

    Meanwhile, PIAC has stated that the government is yet to furnish its outfit with the “specific details of all disbursements.”

    PIAC, in its report, recommended that the government direct subsequent disbursements of funds to the Ministry of Health to support the Agenda 111 Project as an expenditure under Priority Areas.

    This, according to PIAC, will enable GIIF to focus on its core mandate.

    “It will enable GIIF focus on its core mandate of investing funds, including its Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) disbursements, in commercial infrastructural projects that would yield returns,” the report said.

    What is Agenda 111

    The Agenda 111 programme by the Akufo-Addo government is to ensure Ghanaians in every nook and cranny of the country have access to quality healthcare
    services.

    The facilities will include 4 state-of-the-art surgical theatres for maternity, obstetrics, and gynaecology, and a full complement of male, female, paediatric, and isolation wards, among others.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Agenda 111: 8 hospitals in Northern Region to be completed by December 2023 – Regional Minister

    Northern Regional Minister Shani Alhassan Sayibu says eight hospitals under Agenda 111 in the Northern Region are expected to be completed by December 2023.

    He said the Region which is also benefiting from the construction of a psychiatric hospital, the first of its kind in the five regions of the Northern part will also be done at the same time.

    The Minister said this when he addressed stakeholders at the maiden Northern Regional Coordinating Council meeting for 2022.

    Agenda 111: 8 hospitals in Northern Region to be completed by December 2023 – Regional Minister

    The council meeting is the highest decision-making body in the region, which meets periodically to review the progress of the various activities, projects and programmes in the region.

    Alhaji Shani said construction works have started in most of the districts whilst others are yet to commence.

    He named the beneficiary districts and municipalities under the Agenda 111 projects as Mion, Wulensi, Kpandai, Saboba, Kumbungu, Nanton, Savelugu and Sagnarigu.

    On security, the Minister commended the various security agencies for their proactive interventions which he said have contributed to reducing crime and insecurity in the region.

    Agenda 111: 8 hospitals in Northern Region to be completed by December 2023 – Regional Minister

    “We experienced some incidences earlier in the year, relating to some robberies in Tamale and some parts of the region.

    “The response of our security agencies especially in Tamale has contributed to dealing with crime to the barest minimum. The current police visibility in town and traffic intersections has been quite effective,” he said.

    Alhaji Shani urged the citizenry to support security in the fight against crime.

    “We expect the cooperation and support of the entire citizenry to maintain law and order throughout the region,” he added.

    He also cautioned those who engaged in negative activities such as wrongful parking, petty trading and among others around the Tamale interchange to desist from those activities.

    Agenda 111: 8 hospitals in Northern Region to be completed by December 2023 – Regional Minister

    “The Metropolitan Assembly should fashion out measures to ensure sanity at all times around the interchange”.

    He also urged residents to inculcate the habit of monitoring activities of everyone and report suspicious behaviour and activities so that the police can deal with crimes like kidnapping, killing, armed robbery, rituals and occultism among other vices in the region.

    “It is also imperative that we give attention to looming threats of violent extremism which has engulfed our neighbouring countries and especially, Burkina Faso.”

    Agenda 111: 8 hospitals in Northern Region to be completed by December 2023 – Regional Minister

    In education, the Minister urged the various assemblies to pay attention to the current and yet-to-be-written examinations adding that the students should be motivated to give in their best.

    Alhaji Shani also talked of roads being constructed in the region to improve transportation and economic activities.

    Source: Myjoyonline

     

  • Akufo-Addo has no credible funding source for Agenda 111 Akandoh

    The Ranking Member for the Health Committee in Parliament, Kwabena Minta Akandoh, has said President Akufo-Addo has no funding source for Agenda 111; hence it is unachievable.

    According to him, the continuous changing of the timeline for the project means the president is only preparing the minds of Ghanaians that he will not be able to complete it.

    “That is clear; I mean, there is no ambiguity in that; let’s see where we came from. Do you remember that in 2020 the president promised us that he was going to build 88 hospitals within one year? It’s in public records.

    “So at the end of 2021, we were expecting that we would see 88 hospitals, but that didn’t come on; he increased it to 111. Even if anything, when he promised 88 hospitals, and it’s ambitious, he should have learnt lessons from there. He then promised 111,” Mr. Akandoh told Starr FM’s Parliamentary Correspondent, Ibrahim Alhassan.

    He continued, “When he promised 111, what the president is telling us is that he didn’t think through the project. The president didn’t think of the cost of the project; he didn’t look for a source of funding for the project because, as I speak to you now, nobody knows the source of funding for the project.”

    The Ranking Member further explained that “For your information, the budget of Ghana is in public records; go check the records as far as Agenda 111 is concerned. An allocation of 580 million Ghana cedis was made. Ask yourself how many hospitals can that amount construct?”

    President Akufo-Addo, when addressing Ghana’s Parliament on the State of the Nation on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, admitted that the initial schedule he gave for the completion of Agenda 111 was overly ambitious.

    According to the President, identifying suitable sites around the country for the project has turned out to be even more problematic than anticipated.

    He, however, added that a great deal of the preparatory work has now been completed, and work has started at eighty-seven (87) of the one hundred and eleven (111) sites.

    “Mr. Speaker, I have to report that, like all major construction projects, it is evident that the initial schedule we gave for the completion of Agenda 111 was overly ambitious. Identifying suitable sites around the country, for example, has turned out to be even more problematic than had been anticipated.

    “I am able to say that a great deal of the preparatory work has now been completed, and work has started at eighty-seven (87) of the one hundred and eleven (111) sites. I have been assured that preliminary work on the remaining twenty-four (24) sites is ongoing.

    “We have every intention of seeing this project through to a successful end, which will enable me to commission all one hundred and eleven (111) hospitals before I leave office on January 7 2025,” President Akufo-Addo assured.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Photos: Architect unveils drawings of Agenda 111 projects

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, cut sod for the commencement of the Agenda 111 project, i.e. the construction of over 100 district hospitals and other major health facilities across the country.

    In his address at the launch, president Akufo-Addo mentioned a number of figures relative to the rollout of the project, from the cost of the project, the estimated number of jobs, contractors and period of completion.

    The main company behind the designs of the various facilities have revealed how the different structures will be like upon completion of the project.

    Adjaye Associates have a history of architectural works for the government of Ghana principally in respect of the design for the National Cathedral Project located in Accra.

    Find below some of the artistic impressions of the projects:

    Aerial shot of a proposed regional hospital

    The interior of a regional hospital

    Frontage of the propose Accra Psychatric Hospital

    Proposed images of Kumasi and Tamale Psychiatric Hospitals

    Aerial shot of a proposed distric hospital

    Courtyard of a proposed district hospital

    Section of a proposed district hospital

    All Photos are courtesy of the World Architecture website

    Each district hospital will cost a total of US$16.88 million, which is US$12.88 million for construction and US$4 million for medical equipment.

    An 18 month completion period has been announced per each project. According to Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, civil works are expected to take 12 months before the remaining six months goes into other works.

    A total of 25,000 Ghanaians will be employed for the construction and design phase. The workers to be employed include architects, engineers, masons, carpenters, painters, and other professionals.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his address at the sod-cutting spoke about the impact in terms of direct and indirect jobs.

    “The strategy of direct and indirect job openings to stimulate the economy of various communities which the facilities are to be created.

    “These include the creation of an estimated 25,000 jobs during the construction and design phase. i.e., jobs for architects, civil mechanical and electrical and biomedical engineers, quantity surveyors, masons, carpenters, welders, steel benders, painters, tailors, and related professionals and artisans as well as other indirect jobs.”

    According to President Akufo-Addo, the design of the project was done by 20 Ghanaian consulting firms.

    “20 Ghanaian consulting firms made up of architects, civil structural, electrical and mechanical engineers, quantity surveyors, bio-medical engineers and other technical teams have designed all these hospitals to reflect our unique domestic requirements including the impact of climate, socio-cultural conditions and traditional practices,” he said.

    The project is dubbed Agenda 111 but actually includes 101 district hospitals which is the first phase that has been started with the August 17 kick-off.

    Subsequently, the sod will be cut for six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialised hospitals in the middle and northern belts, as well as a regional hospital in the Western Region and renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com