The Ministry of Health (MoH) has firmly refuted claims made by former Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adams, regarding the completion and commissioning of three hospitals under the previous government’s Agenda 111 initiative.
The Ministry’s response follows a publication in the Ghanaian Times on March 4, 2025, in which Dr. Adams asserted that the previous government had completed, equipped, and commissioned three hospitals under the Agenda 111 project before leaving office.
He further stated that a dedicated funding source of $1.3 billion had been secured to complete the remaining hospital projects.
However, in a press release issued by the Ministry of Health on March 5, 2025, and signed by its Head of Public Relations, Mr. Isaac Ofei Baah, the Ministry categorically dismissed Dr. Adams’ claims as misleading.
The statement emphasized that no hospital under Agenda 111 is currently operational, and none have been fully equipped for medical services.
“On 3rd March 2025, the Minister for Health visited Trede in the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipality and Kokoben in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region to assess the current state of the Agenda 111 hospitals.
“During the visit, it was discovered that there was no medical gas system, imaging equipment, mortuary equipment, solid waste management, ophthalmology and medical furniture, dental equipment, ENT equipment, lab equipment, theatre equipment, etc.
Mr. Isaac Ofei Baah, Head of Public Relations, Ministry of Health
The assessment, according to the Ministry, revealed significant gaps in infrastructure and medical equipment installations.
The Ministry further outlined several key facts to clarify the actual progress of the project, including asserting that the previous government spent $400 million on the Agenda 111 project.
Despite this, the Ministry insisted that out of the 111 district hospitals planned for construction, none are currently operational, with an estimated cost to complete the project having risen to $1.589 billion.
Additionally, the Ministry contended that despite the commissioning of hospitals at Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, construction remains ongoing, with an overall completion rate of 95%.
“No medical equipment has been installed at these facilities, and some laboratory units remain incomplete. The hospitals have not yet been handed over to the Ghana Health Service for operation. An estimated $8.03 million is required per facility to make them fully operational”.
Mr. Isaac Ofei Baah, Head of Public Relations, Ministry of Health
Ministry Dismisses Misleading Information
The Ministry of Health firmly rejected Dr. Adams’ assertion that the hospitals were completed and operational before their commissioning, describing it as “inaccurate and a calculated attempt to mislead the general public.”
The Ministry stressed that commissioning a project does not equate to its full operationalization and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the hospitals are adequately equipped and functional before serving the public.
While the former Finance Minister had claimed that a $1.3 billion dedicated funding source had been secured for the completion of the remaining hospitals, the Ministry of Health did not confirm the availability of these funds.
Rather, the Ministry reiterated that the estimated cost to complete the Agenda 111 hospitals had increased to $1.589 billion due to additional requirements for medical equipment and operational necessities.
The Ministry acknowledged the challenges associated with completing the Agenda 111 hospitals but reassured Ghanaians that efforts were underway to accelerate progress.
It called for public patience and support as it worked toward ensuring the full operationalization of these crucial healthcare facilities.
The controversy surrounding the completion of the Agenda 111 hospitals has sparked debates among stakeholders, including health professionals, civil society organizations, and opposition political figures.
Many have raised concerns about the delay in operationalizing the hospitals and the transparency surrounding the project’s funding and expenditure.
Some health policy analysts argue that the commissioning of incomplete hospitals creates false hope among citizens and undermines public confidence in government infrastructure projects.
Despite the current challenges, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed its dedication to improving healthcare access through the Agenda 111 project.
The Ministry emphasized that it is working closely with relevant agencies, contractors, and development partners to address funding gaps and ensure that all necessary equipment and facilities are in place before the hospitals are officially opened to the public.
The Ministry assured citizens that updates on the progress of the Agenda 111 hospitals would be communicated regularly, and it remains committed to transparency in all aspects of the project’s execution.
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