BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Former Vice President and leading figure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticized the current administration for failing to continue the Agenda 111 hospital projects and has pledged that an NPP government will see them through to completion.
Speaking during the first day of his three-day tour of the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Bawumia said the ambitious health infrastructure initiative, described as the largest in Ghana’s history, had reached advanced stages by the end of 2024 under the Akufo-Addo-led government.
However, he lamented that the projects have since been neglected by the new government, leaving communities without critical health facilities.
Background of Agenda 111
Launched in 2021, Agenda 111 was one of the flagship healthcare policies of the Akufo-Addo administration, aimed at bridging the country’s hospital infrastructure gap.
The project included the construction of 100-bed district hospitals in areas without hospitals, regional hospitals in the six newly created regions, the rehabilitation of the Effia Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region, and new psychiatric hospitals for Kumasi and Tamale.
Beyond improving access to healthcare, the initiative was also projected to create thousands of jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers, boost local construction industries, and provide permanent employment opportunities for health professionals.
Dr. Bawumia accused the current administration of abandoning a “lifesaving” initiative that could transform healthcare delivery across Ghana.
He argued that nine months into their term, there has been no clear plan to continue construction on the stalled projects.
“When we were in government, we introduced policies like the medical drone delivery system, the retooling of the National Ambulance Service, and the Agenda 111 initiative to improve healthcare access for every Ghanaian. But sadly, this government has abandoned these major investments,” he said.
He stressed that the abandonment puts lives at risk and robs Ghanaians of the healthcare equity promised under the Agenda 111 framework.
NPP’s Commitment to Completion
Dr. Bawumia assured party executives and supporters that if the current government fails to resume the projects, the NPP would make their completion a top priority if voted back into power.
“I promise you: If they don’t complete them, the next NPP government will fully complete the implementation of this very important investment into our lives and save many lives, even those unborn,” he declared.
He added that beyond healthcare delivery, the completion of Agenda 111 will generate significant employment opportunities for the youth and strengthen the country’s health system resilience.
Political Undertones
The revival of the Agenda 111 conversation comes at a politically sensitive time, as debates over the management of healthcare infrastructure and delivery remain central to the broader developmental challenges.
While the ruling government has not yet provided a clear public update on the stalled projects, pressure is mounting from both civil society and political opposition for transparency and accountability regarding the initiative’s future.
For Dr. Bawumia and the NPP, Agenda 111 is not just a policy but a legacy project they are determined to defend—and potentially use as a rallying point for their return to power.
