The residents of Agortoe, a community nestled within the Anloga District of Ghana’s Volta Region, are earnestly appealing to President John Dramani Mahama to prioritize the completion of the “Agenda 111” hospital project initiated in their area. This project, originally conceived by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, forms a crucial component of a nationwide effort to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality. The stalled construction has left the community in a state of anticipation, as the promised hospital represents a significant upgrade to their current limited healthcare options. The existing health center in Agortoe struggles to meet the demands of the population due to insufficient staffing, equipment shortages, and other logistical challenges. The completion of the Agenda 111 hospital is viewed as essential for alleviating these pressures and providing a much-needed boost to healthcare delivery in Agortoe and its surrounding communities.
Francisca Anaglo, the Assembly Member for Agortoe, voiced the community’s concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for the government to revive and complete the project. She noted that construction activity ceased around November of the previous year, leaving the partially completed facility at a standstill. Anaglo stressed the potential impact of the new hospital, stating it would drastically reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to access adequate healthcare. Currently, seeking more specialized medical attention often involves referrals to larger, better-equipped hospitals located far from Agortoe, placing a considerable burden on patients and their families. The Agenda 111 hospital promises to bring essential healthcare services closer to home, significantly improving the well-being of the community.
The current state of the project highlights the urgency of the situation. The project comprises two distinct facilities being built by separate contractors. While incomplete, one facility is estimated to be at 60% completion and the other at roughly 70%. This progress underscores the considerable investment already made and the potential for substantial loss if the project remains unfinished. Beyond the immediate healthcare benefits, the resumption of construction would also generate local employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth within the Agortoe community.
Residents like Senyavor Wordui echo the Assembly Member’s sentiments, urging the government to intervene swiftly and complete the hospital. Wordui emphasized the community’s faith in the NDC government, highlighted by their strong electoral support, and now appeals to President Mahama to reciprocate this trust by delivering on the promise of improved healthcare infrastructure. He argues that completing this project is not only a practical necessity but also a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the well-being of the Agortoe community. The prolonged halt in construction raises concerns about the potential deterioration of the existing structures and the loss of valuable resources already invested in the project. Wordui’s plea underscores the belief that completing the hospital would be a tangible demonstration of the government’s responsiveness to the needs of its constituents.
Seth Yormewu, the former District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga, offers a broader perspective on the issue, emphasizing the continuous nature of governance. He argues that the current administration should prioritize completing projects initiated by its predecessors, particularly when those projects are at advanced stages of completion and serve the public good. This approach, Yormewu contends, represents responsible stewardship of public funds and ensures that taxpayer money is not wasted on unfinished projects. His perspective reinforces the idea that completing the Agenda 111 hospital is not simply a political matter but a matter of efficient and effective governance.
The collective voice of the Agortoe community, amplified by their representatives and local leaders, calls for immediate action to address the stalled hospital project. They see the completion of the Agenda 111 hospital as a crucial step toward improving their access to vital healthcare services, alleviating the burden of seeking treatment far from home, and fostering economic growth within their community. Their plea resonates with the broader national goal of strengthening healthcare infrastructure and exemplifies the importance of continuity in governance. The residents of Agortoe look to President Mahama and his administration to heed their call and deliver on the promise of better healthcare for their community. They view the completion of this project not merely as the fulfillment of an electoral promise but as an investment in their future and a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to their well-being.
