John Dramani Mahama has criticised the previous administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over the implementation of the Agenda 111 hospital projects, describing the simultaneous launch of all 111 facilities as imprudent and poorly executed.
The President made the remarks during a meeting with the Northern Regional House of Chiefs on Friday, May 15, ahead of his departure to Geneva for an international engagement.
President Mahama questioned the rationale behind commencing construction on all 111 hospitals at the same time, arguing that a phased implementation strategy would have been more practical and financially sustainable.
“When the Agenda 111 hospitals… I don’t think it was a very prudent idea to start 111 hospitals at the same time. At least they should have been phased out,” he stated.
According to the President, while some of the projects had reached foundation level, the overall execution of the programme had been problematic, with concerns over contractor performance and value for money.
“With some of the projects, people took the mobilisation and never went to the site,” he disclosed.
President Mahama further revealed that the Economic and Organised Crime Office was pursuing contractors accused of abandoning projects after receiving mobilisation funds.
“EOCO is going after them,” he assured the chiefs.
Despite his criticism of the programme’s management, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the hospital projects are completed for the benefit of Ghanaians.
He disclosed that the government had reviewed the programme and would prioritise the completion of 35 hospitals that are close to completion.
According to him, additional funding would be allocated in the next national budget to support the completion of another batch of hospitals in subsequent phases.
President Mahama also announced plans to collaborate with faith-based health institutions as part of the restructuring strategy.
“We’re also inviting the faith-based organisations that run hospitals to adopt some of the hospitals that they think they can complete and bring into operation,” he said.
The Agenda 111 initiative was launched as a nationwide healthcare infrastructure expansion programme but has faced criticism over delays, stalled projects and rising cost concerns.
The government’s revised approach is expected to focus on phased completion, improved oversight and partnerships aimed at accelerating delivery of the healthcare facilities.
