Ken Ofori-Atta
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, says Government has engaged over 20 local consulting firms through a lead project consultant to provide architectural/engineering designs and project management support towards the execution of its transformational project dubbed ‘Agenda 111’.
On April 26, 2020, President Akufo-Addo, as part of his eighth address to the nation on Government’s efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, laid out an ambitious plan to tackle Ghana’s health infrastructural deficit.
Through this project, Government is expected to construct 101 standard district hospitals with accommodation for doctors and nurses.
Also included in the project is the construction of six new regional hospitals in the newly created six regions, one regional hospital for the Western Region, rehabilitation of Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region, two new psychiatric hospitals, and a new Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
The Finance Minister told Parliament on Thursday that the objective was to use a local team of Ghanaian consultants, project managers and construction firms.
Mr. Ofori-Atta said Agenda 111 would be implemented in two phases indicating that the phase one involved the engagement of relevant consultants, survey and inspection of the proposed sites, and feasibility studies.
Geotechnical studies, concept drawing, preparation of detailed drawings, BOQ’s, specifications, contract documents, processing of the necessary permits and documentation, among others, form part of phase one, the Minister noted.
“Mr. Speaker, Government and the Project Coordinating Team have worked tirelessly on Phase 1 and I am happy to report that pre-contract works have now been completed for 88 sites for the district hospitals.”
“We expect to commence phase two, which is actual construction, three weeks from now – 17th August, 2021,” he disclosed.
He told the MPs that Agenda 111 required extensive preparation and due diligence, and that Government was confident and happy with the level of detail and attention that had gone into the pre-contract works.
“We began by setting the country on a transformation track back in 2017 with our bold vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid,” he said noting also that “The recovery is on. We are back on track, despite the pandemic. The plan of the President is to achieve, from this year, a strong and sustainable recovery of the economy.”
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House