Former Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah-Asare, has dismissed claims that the Agenda 111 project is struggling financially and requires an additional $1.7 billion for completion.
President John Mahama recently asserted that over $400 million had already been spent with little progress and that an additional $1.7 billion would be needed to complete the project.
However, in a recent interview, Dr. Nsiah-Asare rejected these claims, stressing that the project does not require new funding since the previous administration had already secured financial provisions.
“The claim that there was no money to fund Agenda 111 is not true. Former President Akufo-Addo approved the use of part of Ghana’s oil revenue for the project because it is a legacy initiative. This was in addition to direct budgetary allocations,” he explained.
He further clarified that the Akufo-Addo government had outlined the financial roadmap for the incoming administration, with a substantial portion of the $1.7 billion already disbursed as of December last year.
“Several hospitals under Agenda 111 have been completed and furnished, but they are yet to be staffed. Meanwhile, many trained health professionals remain unemployed,” he noted.
Dr. Nsiah-Asare urged the current government to fast-track the deployment of medical personnel to the completed facilities, ensuring they become fully operational and fulfill their intended purpose.
Agenda 111, a flagship initiative launched during the COVID-19 pandemic under former President Akufo-Addo, was designed to construct 111 district and regional hospitals, including psychiatric facilities, to improve healthcare access across the country.
