Dr. Joshua Jebutie Zaato, a Policy analyst and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, has described Agenda 111 as the most effective and practical policy currently available to address Ghana’s persistent “no-bed syndrome,” in Ghana, urging continuity despite implementation challenges.
Speaking on the issue, Dr. Zaato acknowledged that Agenda 111, one of the major policies introduced by the government of Ghana, has faced notable setbacks. He pointed out that the initiative has not been fully completed and lacks dedicated funding, concerns that have drawn criticism from sections of the public and policy observers.
However, he stressed that such limitations should not overshadow the policy’s core value. Drawing on principles of governance and public administration, Dr. Zaato highlighted the concept of policy continuation, which emphasizes the need for successive governments to sustain and build upon existing initiatives rather than abandon them prematurely.
“Agenda 111 was one of the major policies introduced to address this challenge,” he noted, referring to the issue of inadequate hospital beds. The expansion of health facilities across the country will enable citizens to get easy access to healthcare, and that will go a long way to reduce the incidence of death being linked to the “no bed syndrome”.
Emphasizing the need for continuity, he stated, “Yes, it has not been completed. Yes, there was no dedicated funding. But we teach our students something called policy continuation.” He asserted the need for the government to ensure the project is completed.
He argued that the incumbent government must put in place measures to deal with the challenge by resolving the issues surrounding the Agenad 111 project. He reiterated that, expecting the current government to fully complete the Agenda 111 projects within a relatively short timeframe, about one and a half years, is unrealistic.
He emphasized that large-scale infrastructure policies require time, consistency, and sustained political will to achieve their intended outcomes. “I don’t expect the current government to have completed all the Agenda 111 projects in about one and a half years,” he said. “But it remains the most potent viable solution on the table”, he asserted.
Dr. Zaato argued that the strength of Agenda 111 lies in its direct focus on the physical infrastructure gap within Ghana’s healthcare system. This, he believes, must be a vital area to be improved upon.
The “no-bed syndrome,” he explained, is fundamentally a problem of insufficient space and facilities to accommodate patients, making the construction of new hospitals and expansion of existing ones a critical intervention.
“There is no other policy out there that can deal with the physical aspect of increasing beds in our health delivery system, none exists.”
Dr. Joshua Jebutie Zaato
He further explained that addressing the shortage of hospital beds is not simply about acquiring more equipment, but about creating the necessary physical space to house them. Without expanding infrastructure, efforts to increase capacity would remain limited.
“If our objective is indeed physical beds, then we just need space to put the beds,” he added, reinforcing the argument that infrastructure development is central to solving the crisis. He argues that the issue is not solely about beds but about facilities as well.
Agenda 111, The Most Viable Solution
Dr. Zaato maintained that Agenda 111 stands out as the most viable, potent, and effective policy currently available to tackle this specific challenge. While acknowledging its imperfections, he insisted that no alternative policy matches its scope in addressing the physical constraints of Ghana’s health system.
His remarks come amid ongoing public debate about the effectiveness and future of Agenda 111, particularly in light of delays and funding concerns. Despite these issues, Dr. Zaato’s position underscores a broader call for continuity and long-term commitment to policies aimed at strengthening national infrastructure.
As discussions continue, his comments reinforce the argument that solving Ghana’s “no-bed syndrome” will require not only critique but sustained investment in existing solutions—chief among them, Agenda 111.
READ ALSO: GoldBod Reports ¢5.55bn Revenue in 2025
