The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that approximately GHS140 million is required to make the Bokoro Agenda 111 Hospital in Ahanta West Municipality fully functional. Despite being commissioned three months ago, the facility remains non-operational due to the incomplete installation of essential medical equipment. During his visit to the hospital on March 10, 2025, the minister revealed that only 10% of the necessary equipment had been installed, making it impossible for the hospital to begin operations. He emphasized that while the building itself had been completed, the lack of medical tools and infrastructure rendered it unusable. This situation has raised concerns about the effectiveness of government planning and resource allocation in the healthcare sector, as the hospital was inaugurated just days before the December general elections by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, despite being far from ready to serve the public.
Minister Akandoh further stressed that a hospital is more than just a physical structure—it requires proper medical tools, trained personnel, and adequate resources to function effectively. He pointed out that while construction is an important step, it is only part of the equation. Without the necessary equipment and financial commitment, the facility cannot deliver quality healthcare services to the people of Ahanta West. The minister also revealed that an additional $9 million is needed to finalize the project and ensure the hospital becomes state property. He criticized past practices where projects were commissioned before being fully completed, leaving essential services in limbo. This, he argued, is a major reason why some government hospitals remain underutilized despite significant investments in their construction.
In light of these challenges, Minister Akandoh has urged the government to prioritize healthcare funding to prevent such situations in the future. He emphasized the importance of completing all necessary installations before commissioning hospitals to avoid misleading the public about service availability. The delay in making the Bokoro Agenda 111 Hospital operational highlights broader issues within Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly regarding project planning and budget allocation. The minister’s call for urgent financial intervention reflects the critical need for sustainable healthcare policies that ensure hospitals are not just built but are also fully equipped to serve the public. The government now faces pressure to allocate the required funds promptly to ensure the facility becomes operational, providing much-needed healthcare services to the Ahanta West community.
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