The incoming President, John Dramani Mahama, faces a significant challenge as it has been revealed that an estimated $1.4 billion is required to complete the ambitious Agenda 111 hospital infrastructure project initiated by outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The revelation came from Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who shared details on his Facebook page on January 4, 2025.

Dr. Boamah stated, “None of the Agenda 111 hospitals is functioning. Uncompleted! US$1.4 billion needed to complete.” The update was tagged under the NDC’s monitoring initiative, #EagleEye.

During his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 3, 2025, President Akufo-Addo urged President-elect Mahama to prioritize completing the Agenda 111 projects.

Launched during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative aimed to address critical healthcare infrastructure gaps by constructing 111 district and regional hospitals, including two psychiatric facilities.

President Akufo-Addo highlighted the project’s transformative potential, describing it as a cornerstone of Ghana’s healthcare development.

“The pandemic exposed alarming shortcomings in our healthcare system.

Agenda 111 was our most important intervention to ensure every district had a hospital,” he said.

He reported progress on the project, noting that work was underway at 99 district sites and two psychiatric hospitals. However, the pace of construction varied widely, with completion rates ranging from 5% to 95% across sites.

Three district hospitals were opened in December 2024, but the majority remain incomplete as the Akufo-Addo administration concludes its tenure.

The $1.4 billion price tag underscores the significant resources required to bring the project to fruition.

While President Akufo-Addo emphasized the long-term benefits of Agenda 111, its completion now hinges on the commitment and strategic planning of the incoming Mahama administration.

The NDC has criticized the handling of the project, with Dr. Boamah’s comments highlighting concerns about the initiative's financial burden and incomplete status.

Despite this, President Akufo-Addo expressed hope that the Mahama government would see the project through to completion, ensuring it contributes to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.

Editor's note: As President-elect Mahama prepares to take office, the nation will closely watch how his administration tackles this critical aspect of Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure.