John Mahama
FORMER PRESIDENT John Dramani Mahama has slipped up on the date of the Ghana Priority Health Infrastructure Project popularly known as Agenda 111, as announced by President Akufo-Addo, in his latest critical post against the government.
“The ‘Agenda 111’ hospitals promise is in its 4th year, yet not a single hospital has been completed to support quality health care delivery,” Mr. Mahama posted on his Facebook page yesterday.
The project, as envisioned by the President, was to ensure that Ghanaians in every district and region in the country had access to quality healthcare services.
It covers designing, procuring, constructing, equipping and commissioning of 101 District Hospitals, six Regional Hospitals in newly created regions, one Regional Hospital in the Western Region, two Psychiatric Hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale, as well as the rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi and the redevelopment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
The proposed project is expected to boost the provision of healthcare infrastructure in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring universal healthcare to all
citizens and attainment of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3).
It will further be a fulfillment of the government’s policy of a hospital in each district and region and improve the geographical coverage of healthcare delivery in the country, as well as offer improved access to healthcare for all Ghanaians.
In the process, the outcome will also come with a model of accelerated construction of health facilities developed for future health projects, the government indicated.
Mahama’s Criticism
But ex-President Mahama, who is staging a comeback for the presidency, said contrary to the “lofty promise” made in 2020, no single hospital has been completed by the NPP government.
“The NPP must learn to take Ghanaians serious[ly]. Enough of the slogans!” he stated.
However, the slip on the date has taken away the shine of his message, with people trolling him on social media.
Unfortunately for Mahama, the gaffe plays into a caricature that the NPP has long been painting of him, with some of the party’s supporters asserting, “That’s a pretty big mistake to make.”
BY Ernest Kofi Adu