The government has announced plans to focus on completing 35 selected Agenda 111 hospital projects across the country, while putting the implementation of the remaining facilities on hold.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, made this known in Parliament on Wednesday, July 8, explaining that the decision follows a review of the project by Cabinet.

According to the minister, the move forms part of the government’s efforts to ensure the prudent use of public resources and avoid what it describes as unproductive spending.

Agenda 111 was introduced by the previous Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration to address gaps in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure. The programme was expected to provide hospitals in districts without adequate health facilities, as well as regional and specialised hospitals.

However, after assessing the progress and challenges of the project, Cabinet has decided to adopt a phased approach by prioritising a limited number of facilities.

Mr Akandoh said the selection of the 35 projects will be based on factors including the level of completion, the healthcare needs of the communities, and fair distribution across the regions.

“I am happy to inform this House that there has been a Cabinet decision on Agenda 111 and we are supposed to phase them out and so Cabinet has taken the decision to invest in the first 35 districts or facilities,” the Health Minister told Parliament.

He added: “We will look at the level of completion, the need of the people of the area and we also look at the regional distribution and so at least we will have one facility in every region.”

Mr Akandoh further disclosed that the government would strengthen its partnership with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery.

“Another strategy is to collaborate with the Christian Health Association of Ghana,” he said.

The minister noted that working with CHAG, which has played a major role in healthcare provision in Ghana, would help expand access to quality health services across the country.