The Ministry of Health has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by former Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, concerning the progress and status of the Agenda 111 hospital projects. Dr. Adam, during a presentation referred to as the “True State of the Nation Address,” asserted that three hospitals under the initiative had been fully completed, equipped, and commissioned before the end of the previous government’s term. He also stated that funding of $1.3 billion had been secured to finalize the remaining Agenda 111 projects. The Ministry of Health, however, has categorically refuted these assertions, stating that they are inaccurate and misleading.
The Ministry’s refutation is based on a recent assessment of the Agenda 111 hospitals, specifically those in Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta. Following visits to the Trede and Kokoben sites in the Ashanti Region by the Minister for Health, it was discovered that these hospitals lacked essential equipment and infrastructure necessary for operational functionality. The missing components included critical medical systems such as medical gas systems, imaging equipment, and mortuary facilities. Further, essential resources like solid waste management systems, specialized medical furniture, and equipment for departments such as ophthalmology, dentistry, ENT, and laboratory services were also absent. The Ahanta facility, though mentioned as commissioned, is presumed to be in a similar state of incompleteness.
This lack of essential equipment directly contradicts Dr. Adam’s claim of fully equipped and operational hospitals. The Ministry estimates that an additional $8.03 million is required for each of the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals to become operational. This figure represents the cost of procuring and installing the missing equipment and systems, highlighting the significant gap between the claimed completion status and the actual state of the facilities.
Furthermore, the Ministry challenges Dr. Adam’s assertion regarding the secured funding of $1.3 billion for the remaining Agenda 111 projects. While acknowledging an expenditure of $400 million on the project, the Ministry did not confirm the existence of the purported $1.3 billion. The discrepancy between the claimed secured funding and the evident lack of necessary equipment raises questions about the allocation and utilization of the funds already spent.
The Ministry of Health’s detailed account of the missing equipment and the associated costs paints a picture of incompleteness that directly contradicts the former Finance Minister’s claims. This raises concerns about the transparency and accuracy of information previously presented regarding the Agenda 111 projects. The Ministry’s statement highlights a substantial discrepancy between the public perception created by Dr. Adam’s pronouncements and the on-the-ground reality of these hospital projects.
The Ministry of Health’s refutation, therefore, serves not only as a correction of factual inaccuracies but also as a call for greater accountability and transparency regarding the Agenda 111 projects. The significant investment of public funds in this initiative necessitates a clear and accurate account of its progress and challenges. The discrepancies highlighted by the Ministry underscore the importance of rigorous oversight and verification to ensure that public resources are effectively utilized and that the intended benefits of the Agenda 111 project are ultimately realized.
