The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has characterized the Agenda 111 hospital project initiated by the previous administration as a calculated political snare designed to burden the current government.
According to the Minister, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government started the massive infrastructure project without a genuine roadmap for completion, knowing well that the logistical and financial implications would create a crisis for any successor.
He noted that the announcement of 88 and later over 100 hospitals during the height of the global pandemic was a strategic election maneuver and an attempt to gain public votes. He further noted it was not a sustainable healthcare policy.
Mr. Akandoh explained that the timelines provided by the previous administration, which suggested completion within sixteen months, were fundamentally unrealistic and served to create false expectations among the Ghanaian populace.
He argued that the strategy was to begin numerous constructions simultaneously to garner votes, with the intent of blaming the next government for abandonment if the projects remained unfinished.
“This is a trap set by the former President where they are like, let’s start a project. We will abandon and then we will go back to them and the people will vote for us so we continue. But if we lose the elections, we will put pressure on the next government to finish and if they don’t, we will say they have abandoned the project. This is the trap.”
Honourable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health
Despite these challenges, the Minister stated that the current administration is working to navigate this inherited difficulty by prioritizing specific sites. The Ministry has currently targeted 10 specific hospital projects for completion within the year to ensure that state resources already invested do not go to waste.
The Minister emphasized that functional healthcare delivery involves more than just physical structures. He clarified that the transition from construction to service delivery requires significant investment in medical equipment, specialized personnel, modern technology, and sustainable maintenance systems.
To rectify the current stagnation at various sites, the Minister has issued a direct mandate to contractors to return to their posts immediately. He expressed confidence that mobilization will occur within the week to jumpstart work on projects that are nearing the completion phase.
The administration remains committed to fishing out projects that are viable for immediate use while figuring out a long term plan for the remaining structures. Minister Akandoh maintained that while the burden placed on the ruling party is heavy, the Ministry will not allow the political trap to compromise national health outcomes. The government aims to put these assets into good use for the benefit of the citizens by focusing on facilities with high levels of completion soon.
Government Moves to Reset Health Sector Through Free Primary Care
The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has described the introduction of the Free Primary Healthcare policy as a transformative shift from a system focused on sick care to one centered on comprehensive health.
This initiative represents a strategic reset of the national health agenda, prioritizing prevention, early detection, and equity. The Minister pointed out that the current sector has been over reliant on reactive treatments rather than proactive wellness.
The government seeks to achieve universal health coverage where quality care is accessible to all citizens regardless of their status or location by removing financial barriers at the primary level. The primary objective of this policy is to encourage early intervention. Honourable Akandoh disclosed that statistical evidence from 2021 suggests that a majority of citizens living with chronic conditions like hypertension are unaware of their status until complications arise.
The Minister noted that affordability often causes patients to delay seeking medical help, leading to worsened conditions by the time they arrive at a facility. Under the new programme, services at CHPS compounds, health centers, and polyclinics will be free of charge, allowing for the early detection of asymptomatic illnesses.
Mr. Akandoh was careful to manage public expectations regarding the scope of the freeness. He clarified that the Free Primary Healthcare policy is strictly applicable at the primary level and does not extend to regional or teaching hospitals such as Korle Bu.
For specialized care and secondary referrals, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) remains the essential vehicle for coverage. This distinction is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the health system and to avoid creating false hope among the public. The Minister explained that the two programs are complementary rather than mutually exclusive.
He also emphasized that the rollout of free services at the community level is expected to drive higher enrollment figures for the NHIS, as the scheme remains relevant for any care beyond the primary stage. This integrated approach aims to create a transition for patients who require advanced medical attention after their initial free consultation.
The Ministry intends to reduce the burden on major hospitals and improve the overall life expectancy of Ghanaians through consistent and affordable monitoring by strengthening the foundation of the healthcare hierarchy.
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