A former presidential health advisor under the Akufo-Addo administration, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has challenged the government’s claims about the funding needed to complete the Agenda 111 hospital projects.
In an interview on AsaasePa 107.3 in Accra, Nsiah-Asare argued that the initiative requires $1.4 billion to finalize, dismissing President John Dramani Mahama’s estimate of $1.7 billion as inaccurate.
“I don’t know where President Mahama got that figure from,” he remarked, casting doubt on the higher projection.
Agenda 111 project
The Agenda 111 project, aimed at bolstering Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure, relies on a combination of domestic and external financing.
According to Nsiah-Asare, the Ghanaian government is directly funding district hospitals and two psychiatric facilities, while regional hospitals and the Accra Psychiatric Hospital depend on foreign investment.
He noted that five contractors tied to these externally funded projects have submitted proposals, which are currently pending approval at the Ministry of Finance.
However, progress remains stalled due to ongoing debt restructuring negotiations.
President John Mahama, speaking at a meeting with the Christian Council, painted a grim picture of the initiative’s progress under his administration, revealing that only one of the planned hospitals has been completed.
He emphasized the significant financial challenge ahead, sticking to his $1.7 billion estimate to finish and operationalize the remaining facilities.
Nsiah-Asare, however, offered a more optimistic outlook, suggesting that Ghana’s oil revenue could play a pivotal role in bridging the funding gap.
“If we channel our oil wealth strategically, we can create a legacy for generations to come,” he said, citing the enduring value of projects like Korle Bu Hospital, built over a century ago.
He drew inspiration from Dubai, which transformed its oil riches into a diversified economy, urging Ghana to adopt a similar approach to sustainable development.
By Baba Alhassan Abass/thenewsbulletin24.com