
Agenda 111

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has announced that 88 out of the intended 111 hospital projects, dubbed ‘Agenda 111’, are currently underway and progressing steadily to improve healthcare infrastructure and accessibility across the country.
Addressing the press yesterday on construction works at Trede in the Ashanti Region, the Minister expressed his satisfaction with the substantial progress made so far, and highlighted the government’s commitment to delivering on its promises to the people.
He said, gradually, the government’s grand vision of transforming the healthcare system of the country is coming to fruition, adding that “in due course, we all will witness this unprecedented achievement in the history of our Republic”.
“With the objective of bridging the healthcare inequality gap and strengthening the health system nationwide, Agenda 111 has been a cornerstone of the Akufo-Addo administration’s vision for Ghana’s healthcare sector. The project will provide hospitals to 101 outstanding districts, along with regional and specialized hospitals,” he indicated.
He further highlighted the meticulous planning and management of the project, which has been divided into eight zones, each consisting of an average of 14 sites. These sites, he said, have dedicated teams of consultants, including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, and biomedical engineers, ensuring the smooth execution of the construction process.
Assurance
While acknowledging the challenges faced in implementing the project, he assured the public that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare facilities.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah called on all stakeholders, including local beneficiary communities, traditional leaders, youth, and actors in the local health sector, to rally behind the project, and provide their unwavering support.
He stressed the importance of community engagement and collaboration to ensure the seamless integration and optimal functionality of the health facilities upon completion.
The Minister said the hospitals being constructed under the programme will offer a range of facilities, including state-of-the-art surgical theatres for maternity, obstetrics and gynecology, male, female, pediatric, and isolation wards, among others.
He stated that accommodation will also be provided for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel within the hospital premises.
Terminated contracts
The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare, disclosed that the contracts with three contractors involved in the construction of the health facilities had been terminated due to non-performance
He stressed that the government’s commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare facilities necessitated taking decisive action against contractors who failed to meet the required standards and perform their contractual duties.
“We have terminated the contracts of three contractors due to non-performance and failure to meet the required standards. As we have indicated, we will not compromise on the standards of these hospitals and the construction timelines. That is why we have moved quickly to terminate the contracts of these contractors,” Dr Asare said.
The Presidential Advisor on Health reiterated that the government took this step to ensure the successful implementation of the projects. He said the termination also serves as a demonstration of the government’s dedication to upholding rigorous standards and holding contractors accountable for their performance.
He provided a comprehensive update on the status of the projects, outlining their individual progress and the expected benefits they will bring to the respective regions. He lauded the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and local communities, in ensuring the smooth execution of these initiatives.
Dr Asare revealed that several facilities, including a district hospital and polyclinics in the Western Region, are almost completed with the expansion and equipping of selected facilities also slated for completion likely by the end of this year.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the construction of these hospitals, stressing that “government considers the Agenda 111 as the most significant investment in healthcare infrastructure in the country since independence and will not relent in the provision of these hospitals”.
Agenda 111
‘Agenda 111’ project is part of a plan by the Akufo-Addo administration to ensure that 101 outstanding districts will be provided with hospitals in addition to 10 selected regional and specialised hospitals.
It is expected to take 18 months to complete from the commencement of each unit, with a funding of $100 million from the government through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
Each of the hospitals will cost $16.88 million, with $12.88 million being used for the construction of the hospitals and $4 million for medical equipment.