Agenda 111 snub in 2025 budget would be shocking – Dr. Nsiah-Asare
The Presidential Adviser on Health to former President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed confidence that the 2025 budget will include funding for Agenda 111 projects.
Given the advanced stage of many of these hospital projects, Dr. Nsiah-Asare stated that he would be surprised if no allocation is made to ensure their completion.
“I would be shocked if there is no funding for Agenda 111 in the 2025 budget because most of the projects are at the completion stage,” Dr. Nsiah-Asare emphasized.
Agenda 111, a flagship initiative launched under the Akufo-Addo administration, aims to construct 111 hospitals across Ghana to improve healthcare access.
While many of these projects are ongoing, their completion depends on continued government investment.
However, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disputed claims that some of the hospitals have been completed.
During an inspection of the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipal Hospital in Trede, Ashanti Region, on Monday, March 3, he revealed that construction was still in progress at sites that had been inaugurated by the previous administration.
“Where I am standing is one of the hospitals, and when it comes to hospitals, it is not just about the building alone but also the necessary facilities and staff that make up a functional hospital. Upon our inspection, we cannot call this place a hospital because construction is still ongoing,” Mr. Akandoh stated.
He further disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had directed him to oversee the completion of the Agenda 111 projects and transition their management from the presidency to the Ministry of Health.
The president further criticised the decision of the previous government to site hospitals at places where mission hospitals existed.
He pointed out that rather than starting the construction of new facilities, the Akufo-Addo administration should have collaborated with faith-based organisations to improve existing health facilities.
In his State of the Nation Address, the president indicated that one of the solutions to completing the projects would be for faith-based organisations to take up some of them.
He said the missions could take some of the uncompleted Agenda 111 projects, complete them and manage them.
With concerns over funding and completion timelines, stakeholders are now looking to the 2025 budget for firm commitments to ensure the successful delivery of these much-needed healthcare facilities.