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President Akufo-Addo’s outlines achievements in Healthcare Infrastructure
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during his acceptance speech for an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), highlighted the significant achievements of his administration in the healthcare sector.
With a total expenditure of over GH¢33 billion, the Akufo-Addo government has made remarkable strides in improving healthcare infrastructure across Ghana.
The President detailed the numerous healthcare projects completed under his administration, emphasizing the construction and equipping of polyclinics, hospitals, and specialized treatment centers.
These projects have been crucial in addressing the healthcare needs of various regions and improving the overall quality of healthcare services in the country.
“We have successfully constructed and equipped ten polyclinics in the Central Region, located in Ajumaku Bisease, Gomoa Dawurampong, Biriwa, Etsii Sunkwa, Binpong Egya, Gyamera, Mankrong, Akonfude, Ekumfi Naakwa, and Gomoa Potsin,” President Akufo-Addo announced.
He added that these facilities were completed and commissioned in August 2018, marking a significant step forward in regional healthcare.
In the Greater Accra Region, five polyclinics have been constructed and completed in Ogbojo (Adentan), Ashaiman, Bortianor, Oduman, and Sege, commissioned for use in May 2019.
The President also highlighted the completion of a nationwide TB case detection programme in August 2018, benefiting 48 facilities with essential equipment.
Additionally, the major rehabilitation and upgrade of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Phase II, completed and handed over in February 2019, have significantly boosted healthcare delivery in the Northern Region.
“We have constructed ten treatment and holding centers, with two of these facilities located in Aflao and Keta, here in the Volta Region,” President Akufo-Addo mentioned, emphasizing the comprehensive approach his administration has taken in addressing healthcare needs across the country.
Moreover, the President detailed the construction of regional and district hospitals by the Egyptian company, Euroget.
Notable among these projects are the Wa Regional Hospital, commissioned in August 2019, the Ga East Municipal Hospital (Kwabenya) in November 2019, and the Nsawkaw, Tepa, Twifo-Praso, and Konongo District Hospitals, commissioned between 2021 and 2022. These facilities have greatly enhanced healthcare services in their respective regions.
The Bekwai District Hospital, commissioned in November 2020, is currently operational, serving the people of Bekwai. The University of Ghana Medical Centre (Phase II), commissioned on 24th December 2021, has boosted medical research and treatment capabilities.
Additionally, district hospitals and polyclinics in Sawla, Tolon, Somanya, Buipe, Wheta, and Bamboi were completed and handed over in February 2021, augmenting primary healthcare across various communities.
The President also mentioned the expansion of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services at both Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, enhancing cancer treatment capabilities.
District hospitals and integrated IT systems in Dodowa, Fomena, and Kumawu were completed and commissioned as of July 2024, further modernizing healthcare infrastructure.
Several projects have been completed and are awaiting commissioning, including public health facilities in the Western Region, the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Phase III, and twelve district hospitals in the Eastern, Ashanti, Ahafo, and Greater Accra Regions.
The Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and various treatment and holding centers are also in the final stages.
Ongoing projects slated for completion by December 2024 include additional treatment and holding centers, staff accommodation at Dodowa, refurbishment of Effia Nkwanta research laboratory, and a paediatric clinic in Weija-Gbawe municipality.
The government is also constructing a training facility for the National Ambulance Service at Nkenkasu in the Ashanti Region and equipping the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Children’s Block.
Furthermore, the President highlighted the Agenda 111 initiative, which aims to provide 101 standard 100-bed district hospitals, six new regional hospitals, and two psychiatric hospitals at an estimated cost of $1.765 billion.
The average completion rate of the ongoing Agenda 111 projects is 65%, with some sites nearing 80% completion.
He noted that these projects are being undertaken by indigenous Ghanaian contractors, providing direct and indirect jobs to Ghanaians.
Upon completion, the Agenda 111 hospitals will employ approximately 67,635 people, significantly boosting employment in the healthcare sector.
In addition to infrastructure development, the Akufo-Addo government has recruited 202,527 medical personnel since 2017, including doctors, nurses, support staff, pharmacists, medical herbalists, and allied health professionals.
The National Health Insurance Scheme has also seen a resurgence, with active membership increasing from 10.6 million in 2016 to 17.9 million at the end of 2023.
“Our work is far from complete. We are committed to continuing our efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the country, with the ultimate goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030,” President Akufo-Addo affirmed.
The President’s speech highlighted the significant progress made in healthcare infrastructure under his administration, reflecting a commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare for all Ghanaians and laying the groundwork for a brighter, healthier future.
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NPP condems arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the arrest and detention of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah by operatives of the National Security.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua noted that “This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment of the ongoing series of state-sponsored attacks on the media by the NDC government, in their desperate attempt to silence the media and curtail press freedom.”
According to the him, “The Party condemns in no uncertain terms this state-sponsored lawlessness and commends the many well-meaning Ghanaians who spoke loudly against this shameful conduct by the National Security. We also commend the young people and the team of lawyers who stormed the National Security Secretariat this evening to see to the release of the abducted journalist.”
“The NPP wishes to remind President Mahama and his government that the Ghana that was bequeathed to them on January 7, 2025, was a free country. It was the bastion of democracy, underpinned not only by the existence of functioning democratic institutions but also by our unflinching commitment to upholding press freedom as enshrined in Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution,” they added.
Read the full statement below
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 19, 2025
*NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY CONDEMNS THE UNLAWFUL ARREST OF VETERAN JOURNALIST, OKATAKYIE AFRIFA MENSAH BY NATIONAL SECURITY OPERATIVES*
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) condemns the unlawful arrest and detention by operatives of the National Security, of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a veteran journalist, who has been critical of the John Mahama administration.
This unlawful action by the marauding operatives of the National Security is the latest installment of the ongoing series of state-sponsored attacks on the media by the NDC government, in their desperate attempt to silence the media and curtail press freedom.
The Party condemns in no uncertain terms this state-sponsored lawlessness and commends the many well-meaning Ghanaians who spoke loudly against this shameful conduct by the National Security. We also commend the young people and the team of lawyers who stormed the National Security Secretariat this evening to see to the release of the abducted journalist.
The NPP wishes to remind President Mahama and his government that the Ghana that was bequeathed to them on January 7, 2025, was a free country. It was the bastion of democracy, underpinned not only by the existence of functioning democratic institutions but also by our unflinching commitment to upholding press freedom as enshrined in Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution.
In line with this commitment, the country also went through the painstaking process of repealing the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law in 2001, a process that was spearheaded by the immediate past President, H.E Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, who was then the Attorney General of the Republic.
It is therefore completely repugnant and unacceptable for the John Mahama administration to be using State Security to intimidate political opponents as well as media personnel in a bid to silence all critical voices This, in fact, is an egregious affront to our democratic and constitutional tenets.
We call on the Ghana Journalist Association, the Media Foundation of West Africa, Civil Society Organizations, and all stakeholders to join us in demanding an immediate cessation of this tyranny and growing culture of state-sponsored attacks on the media.
Enough is enough.
…Signed…
JUSTIN KODUA FRIMPONG
GENERAL SECRETARY
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We have built enough buffers to pay all DDEP obligations – Finance Minister Ato Forson
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured banks that the government has built sufficient financial buffers to meet all Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) obligations this year.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with over 22 Managing Directors of banks, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and restoring confidence in the financial sector.
“We do not intend to default,” Dr. Forson declared.
“All outstanding holdouts have been paid, and we have put in place the necessary buffers to ensure that every single DDEP obligation for this year will be met.”
The Minister explained that these buffers were created through fiscal discipline, strategic investment cuts, and prudent resource allocation.
As part of this approach, the government has reset goods and services expenditure to 2023 levels and is working to achieve a primary surplus of 1.5% to sustain economic stability.
He also announced plans to submit a fiscal responsibility rule to Parliament, which will set a debt ceiling that the Ministry of Finance cannot exceed.
This measure aims to prevent excessive borrowing and reinforce financial discipline.
Beyond ensuring timely DDEP payments, Dr Forson revealed that the government is taking deliberate steps to reduce reliance on the Treasury bill market.
By improving coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, the government aims to stabilize interest rates and ease liquidity pressures on the banking sector.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
