The Health Committee of Parliament has announced that an estimated amount of $1.4 billion will be necessary to complete all ongoing Agenda 111 projects.
According to the committee, as of November 2023, over $251 million has already been spent on the hospital projects, with 90 out of 102 projects currently at various stages of construction.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, expressed his concerns about the government’s commitment to the Agenda 111 projects, labeling it as mere lip service.
He stated, “The committee observed that, as of November 2023, $251.4 million has been spent and that they require about $1.4 billion to complete all the projects.
The commitment of this government to Agenda 111 is just lip service.”
Akandoh went on to highlight the slow progress of the project, emphasizing that the $251 million released to date would not be enough to complete even 20 percent of the entire project.
He questioned the government’s decision to allocate approximately GH¢1billion in this year’s budget, suggesting that the project could have been rolled out in phases, allowing for more efficient allocation of funds.
Furthermore, Akandoh revealed concerning information regarding the condition of the ambulances procured by the government in 2020. Out of the 307 imported ambulances, 79 are currently non-operational and 12 have been involved in accidents.
He warned that if the trend continues, the fleet will be seriously depleted within the next four years.
The Agenda 111 project was initiated by the government with the aim of constructing 101 district and regional hospitals, as well as upgrading the appropriate hospitals to meet international standards.
It is envisioned that these projects will greatly enhance the healthcare infrastructure of the country and improve access to quality healthcare for all citizens.
The Health Committee’s revelation regarding the significant funding gap and the challenges facing the ambulance fleet highlights the importance of addressing these issues urgently.
Efforts should be made to secure the necessary funds and ensure the timely completion of the Agenda 111 projects to fulfill the government’s commitment to improving the healthcare system in Ghana.
By Vincent Kubi