Controversy has erupted over the Agenda 111 project, a flagship healthcare initiative launched by the Akufo-Addo administration.
The project aims to provide quality healthcare services to Ghanaians in every district and region.
However, contradictory statements from key stakeholders, including President John Dramani Mahama and Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, a former presidential advisor on health under the Akufo-Addo government, have raised eyebrows and sparked heated debates.
According to Dr. Nsiah-Asare, “We need $1.4 billion. It is not $1.7 billion; I don’t know where President Mahama got that figure from.”
This statement was made in response to President Mahama’s claim that $1.7 billion is needed to complete the Agenda 111 project.
Dr. Nsiah-Asare’s assertion suggests that the actual cost of completing the project may be lower than what President Mahama has stated.
Dr. Nsiah-Asare further explained that the district hospitals and two psychiatric hospitals are funded directly by the Ghanaian government.
“The district hospitals and two psychiatric hospitals are funded by the Ghana government. Regional hospitals and the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, on the other hand, are funded externally,” he stated. This clarification provides insight into the funding arrangements for the Agenda 111 project.
In addition, Dr. Nsiah-Asare revealed that five contractors associated with the externally funded projects have submitted their proposals, which are awaiting approval at the Ministry of Finance.
“Currently, five contractors associated with the externally funded projects have submitted their proposals, which are awaiting approval at the Ministry of Finance.
However, the process is stalled due to ongoing debt restructuring efforts. Once these financial hurdles are cleared, the contracts can be finalized, and construction work can commence,” he explained.
President Mahama, on the other hand, has stated that “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. Now, we need $1.7 billion to complete the Agenda 111 projects.”
This statement was made during a meeting with the Christian Council, where President Mahama proposed that religious bodies collaborate to help complete some of the delayed projects.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
