The government is considering partnering with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), churches and financially capable private individuals to complete stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects as it seeks to maximize value for money and expand access to healthcare.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed the plan during a meeting with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace on Friday.
Akandoh said the government was prepared to enter into agreements with churches and private individuals willing and able to finance the completion of unfinished hospital projects.
“We are not in any competition with CHAG; as a matter of fact, we are partners. So, if they feel like, with the status of any of the Agenda 111 projects, they will be able to help complete it, the government will not hesitate,” he said.
“If individuals also believe that they have the capacity, we will gladly go into an agreement and then hand it over to them, so that we can complete all of them and ensure value for money.”
The minister said the approach forms part of the government’s efforts to complete the stalled hospital projects and put them into service rather than allow public investments to remain idle.
He said increasing the number of operational health facilities would also help address persistent pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
“You are all aware of the phenomenon ‘no-bed syndrome’. That, unfortunately, is the case because we are not able to monitor and manage our beds,” Akandoh said.
Separately, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene announced that the Mahama Cares initiative plans to establish a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) laboratory near the Cardio Centre in the Ashanti Region to improve access to specialised diagnostic services.
He said the government would formally request land from the Asantehene for the project.
According to Dr. Amoakohene, similar arrangements would also be pursued for the Sewua Regional Hospital as part of broader efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised medical services in the Ashanti Region.
