Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has appealed to mining companies operating across the country to take over, complete, equip, and jointly operate stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects located within their operational areas.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra, the Minister said this initiative forms part of government’s broader strategy to accelerate the completion of the unfinished health facilities.
“Wherever we have Agenda 111 hospitals that are uncompleted, and there is a mining company there, we are encouraging them to take over, complete it, equip it and partner with the government to run it,” Mr. Akandoh stated.
Mining Firms Targeted Under New Partnership Strategy
The Minister explained that the move to engage mining companies is a targeted extension of government’s public–private partnership (PPP) strategy, particularly in resource-rich districts where health infrastructure gaps remain pressing.
He noted that corporate participation in healthcare is not new in Ghana, citing the Maritime Hospital and the Bank of Ghana Hospital as existing examples of successful corporate-backed medical facilities.
“There are other corporate bodies with hospitals. There is nothing wrong with it,” he emphasised, adding that private sector involvement will not be limited to mining companies alone.
Government Says No Agenda 111 Project Will Be Abandoned
Mr. Akandoh assured the public that government remains committed to completing all Agenda 111 projects. While some facilities will be financed directly by the state, private sector involvement will serve as a complementary acceleration mechanism.
“Apart from the government’s direct allocation to completing some of them, we are also going to involve the private sector,” he said.
Background to Agenda 111
The Agenda 111 project, launched in August 2021 by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, aims to deliver:
- 101 district hospitals,
- 6 regional hospitals in newly created regions, and
- 2 new psychiatric hospitals.
Although the project was envisioned as one of the largest health infrastructure rollouts in Ghana’s history, several sites remain uncompleted due to financial constraints and logistical challenges.
With the Minister’s latest appeal, government hopes private sector partnerships, particularly with mining companies, will fast-track the delivery of critical healthcare facilities across the nation.
