Former President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that his government will need $1.7 billion to complete all unfinished Agenda 111 hospital projects across the country. Speaking during a meeting with the Christian Council, Mahama expressed deep concern about the slow progress of the initiative, emphasizing that nearly 90 hospitals remain uncompleted.
According to Mahama, the Agenda 111 initiative, which was launched to improve healthcare infrastructure, has failed to deliver its intended results due to poor planning and lack of funds. He criticized the previous government’s handling of the project, highlighting that even some of the hospitals that were officially commissioned lack basic medical equipment.
“The previous government started Agenda 111 but has not been able to finish the hospitals. There are so many of them unfinished. Even the ones they commissioned don’t have a single bed,” he lamented. “Now we need 1.7 billion US dollars to complete the Agenda 111 projects.”
The Agenda 111 initiative was designed to construct 111 hospitals in various districts and regions, especially in communities that lacked proper medical facilities. However, despite the ambitious vision behind the project, Mahama noted that progress has been slow, leaving many communities without access to proper healthcare.
With the increasing demand for quality healthcare services, Mahama stressed that the delays in completing the hospitals are affecting thousands of Ghanaians who rely on these facilities for medical care. Many people, particularly in rural areas, are forced to travel long distances to receive medical attention due to the incomplete hospitals.
Collaboration with Religious Bodies to Complete Projects
Mahama, in his address to the Christian Council, proposed a collaborative approach that would involve religious bodies in completing some of the abandoned hospitals. According to him, if mission hospitals already exist in some areas, there is no need to build new hospitals there. Instead, resources should be directed toward upgrading and expanding these mission hospitals to provide better healthcare services.
“If the missions have a hospital in an area, we are not coming to compete with the missions by building a hospital. We will use the resources to improve the mission hospitals so that they can provide the service,” he suggested.
Mahama’s proposal aligns with the long-standing role of faith-based hospitals in Ghana’s healthcare sector. Many mission hospitals, operated by Christian and Islamic organizations, have provided medical services for decades, often stepping in where public hospitals struggle with limited resources.
His call for collaboration suggests that religious institutions could play a key role in ensuring that healthcare infrastructure projects are completed efficiently and effectively. Instead of leaving unfinished hospitals to deteriorate, Mahama believes that mission hospitals could step in, complete them, and manage them.
“So I am also proposing that if some of the missions are interested, they could finish some of the hospitals and manage them,” he added.
By partnering with faith-based organizations, Mahama believes that healthcare services can reach more communities faster, ensuring that the intended benefits of the Agenda 111 project are realized without unnecessary duplication of resources.
Commitment to Healthcare Development
Mahama assured Ghanaians that if re-elected, his government would prioritize the completion of all Agenda 111 hospitals, making sure that the country’s healthcare system receives the attention it deserves. He emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental right, and no Ghanaian should be denied medical treatment due to incomplete hospitals or poorly equipped facilities.
The $1.7 billion budget he mentioned would go into finishing ongoing projects, equipping them with modern medical technology, and ensuring they are properly staffed with qualified healthcare professionals.
He also stressed the need for proper planning and accountability, stating that government projects should not be launched without clear funding and completion strategies.
Mahama’s statement has sparked discussions among health professionals, economists, and political analysts, with many agreeing that the Agenda 111 hospitals need urgent attention.
A health policy analyst, Dr. Kwesi Mensah, welcomed Mahama’s commitment but stressed that the next government must put in place strict monitoring systems to ensure that funds are properly used.
“We have seen many hospitals left abandoned because governments change and projects are ignored. If we are serious about healthcare, then this issue must be addressed once and for all,” he stated.
A resident of the Bono Region, where an Agenda 111 hospital remains uncompleted, also expressed frustration over the delay, saying:
“We were promised a hospital years ago, but up till now, it’s just an empty building. When someone falls sick, we have to travel miles just to see a doctor.”
Such concerns highlight the urgency of Mahama’s proposal and the need for immediate action to ensure that these hospitals become operational.
The Broader Healthcare Challenge
Ghana’s healthcare sector has faced numerous challenges over the years, including inadequate infrastructure, limited medical personnel, and lack of essential equipment. While Agenda 111 was intended to address these gaps, the slow progress of the project has only worsened the situation.
Many district hospitals across the country are overcrowded, forcing patients to endure long waiting times before receiving treatment. This has led to increased mortality rates, particularly among pregnant women and children, due to delays in medical care.
Experts argue that beyond just completing the hospitals, the government must also invest in training more doctors and nurses, ensuring that healthcare facilities are fully functional. A hospital without beds, doctors, or medicine is as good as no hospital at all.
A Call for Urgent Action
Mahama’s call for $1.7 billion to complete the Agenda 111 projects is a wake-up call for the government and all stakeholders involved in healthcare development. The completion of these hospitals could save countless lives, improve healthcare delivery, and strengthen Ghana’s overall health infrastructure.
As Ghana heads toward another election cycle, the fate of the unfinished hospitals will likely be a major issue in political debates. Many Ghanaians are eager to see concrete steps taken to resolve the crisis, rather than just promises that lead to further delays.
Whether through direct government funding or public-private partnerships, the completion of these hospitals remains a crucial national priority. Mahama’s proposal, if implemented, could be a game-changer in transforming healthcare access across the country.
For now, the people of Ghana can only hope that whoever leads the nation next will make healthcare development a top priority and ensure that the Agenda 111 hospitals finally become a reality.
