Following an investigation of unfulfilled financial obligations by the Auditor-General’s Department, at least 175 health infrastructure projects under the former government’s ambitious Agenda 111 scheme have been put on hold for certification.
The projects, which have a combined value of GH¢685,850,934.20, are presently on hold while the government examines the veracity of the payment claims.
Following a thorough audit of financial commitments and claims from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as of December 31, 2024, the Auditor-General, in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ernst & Young (EY), released a report containing the disclosure.
Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, the Auditor-General, clarified that the audit was a component of initiatives to clean up the public financial system and stop unauthorised payments.
He said that before any money is released, the Finance Ministry has provided a list of obligations, claims, and Bank Transfer Advices (BTAs) that need to be confirmed.
The Auditor-General wrote in the report’s preamble, “This exercise is to ascertain the legitimacy of the claims and BTAs before committing to pay them.”
The validation procedure, which started in May 2025 and finished in October 2025, involved contractors, suppliers, and implementing agencies, he continued.
The government’s flagship “Agenda 111” health infrastructure program, which aims to improve access to high-quality healthcare throughout Ghana, includes district and regional hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and specialised medical centres. These projects are suspended in almost every region of the nation.
Among the high-value projects being reviewed is Kodrill Resources Ltd.’s GH¢13.2 million initiative to build a regional psychiatric facility in Kumasi.
For GH31.5 million and GH35.1 million, respectively, Lifecare Technology and Rikair Company Ltd. supplied and installed medical gas systems.
District hospital projects worth between GH¢5 million and GH¢10 million are located in Ningo-Prampram, Kwahu Afram Plains, Wa East, and Atwima Mponua.
While several contractors, including Antgya Ghana Ltd., Okwahou Logistics & Construction Ltd., and Reliance Logistics & Construction Ltd., have pending claims for hospitals in Nyinahin, Trede, and Atwima Mponua in the Ashanti Region, CRCEG Ghana Ltd.’s GH¢7.4 million claim for the construction of the Mpohor District Hospital in the Western Region is still pending.
In a similar vein, AEON Engineering Solutions Ltd. and Top International Ltd. in the Volta Region are requesting payments of more than GH¢15 million for projects in the districts of South Dayi and Ho West.
The study states that any unconfirmed obligations will be permanently removed from the government’s arrears and commitments record if all outstanding claims are not validated by November 7, 2025.
This implies that impacted contractors run the danger of losing their money if their claims are not supported by paperwork and physical evidence.
The validation process is a transparency and accountability strategy intended to stop improper payments and guarantee that public monies are used appropriately, according to the report.
“This publication grants you the opportunity to contest or query the details published by submitting justifications, including all relevant documentation, through the implementing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to the Ghana Audit Service for final validation,” the Auditor-General’s notice stated.
Launched in 2021, the Agenda 111 program sought to build 101 district hospitals, seven regional hospitals, two psychiatric hospitals, and renovate the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
Although the program was hailed as a revolutionary move towards the provision of egalitarian healthcare, financial issues and delays have consistently hampered its advancement.
Concern over the 175 projects’ postponement has grown among the public, especially in areas where new hospitals are anticipated.
Some stakeholders worry that the prolonged moratorium would make healthcare access disparities worse, particularly in poor and rural areas.
According to a civil society budget expert who spoke to The Chronicle under condition of anonymity, the research supports requests for more stringent project monitoring and procurement management.
The analyst stated, “When hundreds of millions of cedis worth of health projects are suspended over validation issues, it shows weak coordination and poor transparency in public infrastructure management, “we must ensure these projects don’t become abandoned sites.”
It is anticipated that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament would examine the report and ask the Ministries of Finance and Health to explain the suspended Agenda 111 payments.
Contractors impacted by the pending validation have been asked to provide all required paperwork in order to expedite the resolution and project continuation.
The GH¢685.8 million might be a significant relief for Ghana’s health infrastructure if confirmed, but until then, it is unclear what will happen to the 175 projects and the people that are in dire need of them.
Source: newsthemegh.com