Thirty-five contractors engaged under Ghana’s Agenda 111 initiative failed to mobilise to the site or carried out work that did not match the advance payments they received, according to findings from the government’s arrears audit.

The revelation was made in Parliament of Ghana, when Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem presented a statement on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.

Mr Ampem told lawmakers that the contractors collectively received about US$7.9 million as advance mobilisation payments under the project, but either failed to begin work or delivered work that did not correspond to the funds released.

According to the statement, the Ghana Audit Service has issued notices of surcharge to the contractors involved.

The situation has raised additional concerns about the management of the Agenda 111 programme, one of the most ambitious healthcare infrastructure projects introduced under former President Nana Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration.

Launched in 2021, the initiative was designed to construct 111 district and regional hospitals across the country to improve access to healthcare, particularly in underserved areas.

However, the programme has faced persistent criticism over delays, rising costs, and questions about oversight.

Mr Ampem further disclosed that the advance payment guarantees tied to the 35 contracts have all expired, leaving the state with limited contractual protection to recover the funds if the contractors fail to comply with the surcharge notices.

The Finance Ministry did not indicate what additional legal or recovery measures may be pursued beyond the actions already taken by the Ghana Audit Service.

It also remains unclear how many of the planned 111 hospitals have been completed or are currently at advanced stages of construction.