SDA church offers to partner government to complete stalled Agenda 111 hospitals

The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has offered to partner with the government to complete and operationalise selected Agenda 111 hospital projects across Ghana, as the Mahama administration seeks private and faith-based support to salvage the troubled healthcare infrastructure programme.

The commitment was made when the leadership of the Ghana Adventist Health Services of the SDA Church, led by Dr James Antwi, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

The delegation presented a proposal identifying four critical areas in which the church could support healthcare delivery: trauma care, holistic wellness, oncology and cancer treatment, and rehabilitation and health services. The proposal aims to position the SDA Church as a strategic partner in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities.

A flagship programme in crisis

Agenda 111, a flagship initiative introduced by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was designed to construct 111 district and specialised hospitals to address gaps in the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The programme has since been mired in delays, funding shortfalls and public scrutiny.

The government has already invested approximately GH¢4.8 billion in Agenda 111, but none of the hospitals is currently operational. Some facilities that were previously commissioned lack essential medical equipment, while others remain abandoned. The Kasoa Agenda 111 hospital site, for instance, has been overrun by squatters and suspected criminals, while the Lambussie project—more than 70 per cent complete—has been left neglected since 2024.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has described completing all 111 hospitals simultaneously as “unrealistic”, estimating that the full cost could exceed GH¢20 billion and take over a decade. Cabinet has since decided to prioritise the completion of 35 facilities based on their level of completion, healthcare needs of beneficiary communities and regional distribution.

Government welcomes faith-based partnerships

Mr Akandoh welcomed the SDA Church’s proposal, stressing that government alone cannot meet the growing demands of the health sector. He called on faith-based institutions, including the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), and the private sector to support the completion and operationalisation of Agenda 111 facilities.

The minister clarified that such partnerships would not require financial contributions to government but rather direct support towards completing specific projects. He encouraged CHAG and private sector players to identify facilities they wish to support, with government providing the necessary direction to ensure successful delivery.

Mr Akandoh commended the SDA Church for its longstanding contribution to healthcare delivery, particularly in deprived areas. The church has established seven hospitals and nine clinics nationwide, mostly in rural communities, through its Ghana Adventist Health Services network.

Broader health sector expansion

The minister also outlined wider government plans to expand healthcare infrastructure. He disclosed that six regional hospitals would be constructed in the newly created regions, with funding provided for three to begin this year and the remaining three scheduled for 2027.

On specialised care, Mr Akandoh announced that two cardiology centres are being constructed in Tamale and at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. He added that a cardiac catheterisation laboratory at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital had recently been installed and commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Akandoh also highlighted three major health interventions—the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) , and the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund—as measures aimed at advancing Ghana’s Universal Health Coverage target by 2030.

He reiterated the government’s position that doctors must accept postings to designated areas to help improve access to healthcare across the country.

The engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and faith-based health institutions in expanding access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.