Former President John Dramani Mahama called the government’s ambitious goal of 111 hospital projects “an afterthought.”
Mr. Mahama insists that the hospital projects would not be finished before the NPP leaves power.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut the sod on 88 of the 111 hospital projects on Tuesday [August 17, 2021].
He said that the hospitals under the government’s ambitious Agenda 111 projects will be finished in 18 months.
Each of the hospitals will cost $16.88 million, according to the president.
President Akufo-Addo further said that $12.88 million would be spent on hospital development and $4 million on medical equipment.
“So far, locations have been found for 88 of the 111 hospitals, and work on the remaining 87 sites will begin today [Tuesday] after cutting the sod.”
“The other 13 properties will be acquired soon so that construction may commence. Each hospital is being built at a cost of $16.88 million, which includes $12.88 million for construction and $4 million for medical equipment. All of the hospitals are expected to be finished in 18 months, with work on the regional and other hospitals beginning later this year.”
As a result, he stated his belief that the initiative would be a game changer in the country’s health sector.
However, speaking on GBC Radio in the Upper East as part of his thank-you tour of the Region, Mr. Mahama said that the government wanted to demonstrate something for all of the borrowings, which is why it embarked on this project.
According to him, there is no transparency in the project’s development.
“It was an afterthought that they suddenly realized they needed to build some infrastructure, and Agenda 111 has been conjured with no transparency as to how the money for the projects would be procured.”
“Will it lead to further borrowing when we already have such a high level [of debt]?” he inquired.
Mr. Mahama, who is now on a national tour, also said that the administration has failed to demonstrate commitment to existing projects like as the Bolga Central Hospital.
“The government should take a step back and try to complete some of those projects, including some that they have initiated.”
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