The Ministry of Health in Ghana is actively engaging with the Ministry of Finance to secure funding for the completion of abandoned health infrastructure projects nationwide. This move is part of the government's efforts to address the country's health infrastructure deficit. Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, revealed this during a Public Accounts Committee hearing on October 8, 2026.
The Abetifi Government Hospital project, which has remained incomplete for years, is among seven hospital projects initiated under a previous arrangement but could not be completed due to insufficient funds. According to Prof. Ayensu-Danquah, the government has identified the completion of abandoned health facilities as a priority. The Ministry of Health is optimistic about securing financing for the project, with the Deputy Minister expressing confidence that Abetifi will be completed.
The government has inherited several abandoned health infrastructure projects across the country, including projects under the Agenda 111 programme. To address this, the Ministry of Health is developing a strategy to complete existing projects rather than committing resources to new facilities while unfinished ones remain. Prof. Ayensu-Danquah emphasized the importance of completing what has already been started, saying it's better to finish existing projects than to leave more abandoned projects.
As part of its strategy, the Ministry plans to open up some uncompleted Agenda 111 facilities to private health sector operators and institutions, including CHAG, SDA, and Ahmadiyya, to help complete and operate them. This approach aims to ensure that taxpayers' money already invested in the projects is not wasted. By partnering with private institutions, the government hopes to expedite the completion of these projects.
The Ministry of Health is conducting a nationwide needs assessment to determine which existing hospitals require rehabilitation, expansion, or complete reconstruction. This assessment will help the Ministry address the country's health infrastructure deficit while identifying facilities that have become too old and require major rehabilitation or rebuilding.
The Deputy Minister of Health emphasized that the completion of abandoned health facilities is a key priority for the government. With discussions underway with the Ministry of Finance, the government is hopeful that funding for these projects will be secured soon. The completion of these projects is expected to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana.
The government's efforts to complete stalled health projects are part of a broader strategy to improve the country's healthcare system. By prioritizing the completion of existing projects and engaging with private institutions, the Ministry of Health aims to address the country's health infrastructure deficit and provide better healthcare services to Ghanaians.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government is prioritizing the completion of abandoned health infrastructure projects, including the Abetifi Government Hospital.
- The Ministry of Health is engaging with the Ministry of Finance to secure funding for these projects.
- The government plans to partner with private institutions to complete and operate some of the uncompleted Agenda 111 facilities.
