Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has disclosed that 35 contractors engaged under the Agenda 111 health infrastructure programme have been surcharged after receiving US$7.9 million in advance mobilisation funds but failing to report to construction sites or deliver work commensurate with the payments. Presenting the Auditor-General’s Report on Arrears and Payables as of end-2024 to Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, Mr. Ampem said the audit of Agenda 111 projects revealed major irregularities in fund utilisation.
He explained that the US$7.9 million was released to facilitate the commencement of district hospital projects nationwide. However, the audit found that while some contractors did not mobilise to their designated sites, others executed work that fell short of the value of funds already disbursed.
“Mr Speaker, the audit of Agenda 111 projects also revealed that a total amount of US$7.9 million was paid to 35 contractors as advance mobilisation under the programme, but these contractors either failed to mobilise to the site or the work done is not commensurate with the amount paid,” he said.
Mr. Ampem further revealed that the advance mobilisation guarantees submitted by contractors at the time of payment have all lapsed, raising concerns about the government’s ability to promptly recover the disbursed funds. “The guarantees provided by the 35 contractors who received the US$7.9 million have expired.
Consequently, the Auditor-General has issued surcharge notices to the defaulting contractors,” he stated. He also reminded Parliament that the Agenda 111 initiative—launched under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo—was designed to deliver district hospitals in underserved communities, each with a 100-bed capacity and residential quarters for medical staff
Source: Isaac Appiah Kubi
