The government has announced plans to audit the Agenda 111 project to assess financial mismanagement and explore private sector involvement in completing the stalled hospitals.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed him to evaluate the initiative and provide recommendations on the way forward.

Speaking to The Independent Ghana after the president’s State of the Nation Address on February 28, he assured that the project would be handled effectively.

“The first thing to do is to investigate and audit the whole project. After the auditing, Mr. President has tasked me to advise him on the way forward to deal with Agenda 111. But I can assure you that Agenda 111 will be handled adequately,” he stated.

He raised concerns about the financial management of the initiative, highlighting that it lacked a dedicated funding source from the outset. The project, launched under the Akufo-Addo administration in 2020, aimed to construct 111 hospitals nationwide to improve healthcare accessibility. However, despite an estimated cost of $1.7 billion, the previous government proceeded with construction without securing the required funds.

According to the Health Minister, approximately $400 million has been spent on the project so far. He questioned the efficiency of the expenditure, arguing that the amount should have been enough to complete at least 22 hospitals based on the initial cost estimate of $18 million per facility.

"Per their own calculations, the $400 million could have completed at least 22 of the hospitals if pegged at $18 million per facility. Meanwhile, after spending that amount, not a single hospital has been operationalized to date," he pointed out.

With the audit set to establish the extent of financial mismanagement, the government is also considering private sector participation as part of efforts to ensure the successful completion of the project.

While Agenda 111 was envisioned to bridge healthcare infrastructure gaps, particularly in underserved areas, its implementation has been marred by funding challenges and delays. The current administration has reiterated its commitment to accountability and efficiency in reviving the project.

The scope of the Agenda 111(Hospital Infrastructure) project will cover the following deliverables:

Design, Procure, Construct, Equip and Commission 101 No. District Hospitals, 6 No. Regional Hospitals in newly created regions, 1 No. Regional Hospital in the Western Region, 2 Psychiatric Hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale, Rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital-Sekondi and the Redevelopment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. All hospitals shall have a compliment of staff accommodation.

On completion, this venture will be the largest investment in healthcare infrastructure in the country since independence.