We will deliver some Agenda 111 hospitals before Akufo-Addo leaves office – Dr Nsiah-Asare

Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Presidential Advisor on Health, has assured the public that several of the Agenda 111 hospital projects will be completed and operational by the end of President Akufo-Addo’s term. In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express Manifesto Tracker, he provided an update on the current status of the ambitious Agenda 111 initiative, which aims to improve healthcare accessibility by constructing hospitals across Ghana.

“We are building, and building is not done over a day,” Dr Nsiah-Asare stated, responding to claims that the government has failed to deliver on the project. The projects comprised 104 district hospitals, seven regional hospitals, two regional psychiatric hospitals (northern and middle belt zones) and one new national psychiatric hospital in Accra.

He stated that substantial progress is being made: “As I speak tonight, I can conveniently tell you…100 of the hospitals are under construction.” Dr Nsiah-Asare clarified the phased nature of the project, noting that 98 district hospitals are currently at various stages of development, with some “above 98% completion.”

According to him, the government will announce which hospitals will be ready for commissioning and operation within the next two months, aligning with the President’s goal to deliver some facilities before leaving office. Outlining the achievements so far, he indicated that “out of the hundred that are at various stages of completion, 33 of them are above 70% completion,” suggesting that these facilities could be completed “within a very short period.”

Dr Nsiah-Asare affirmed that the administration has prioritized this initiative, saying, “We are managing it…we are certain.” However, Professor Titus Beyuo, representing the opposition NDC, challenged the feasibility of completing Agenda 111 projects within the remaining time frame.

He criticised the frequent changes to projected completion dates and suggested that the NDC could not promise to complete all facilities due to a lack of clarity on the project status. “The people who even propounded the concept have changed their dates several times,” he argued.

By: Abubakar Ibrahim