Mahama calls out Agyeman Manu, Oko Boye, Nsiah-Asare

John Dramani Mahama has raised serious questions about the stalled Agenda 111 hospital programme, arguing that Ghana has spent close to $400 million without getting a single operational hospital from the initiative.

In his latest State of the Nation Address, Mahama attributed the poor outcome to officials including Dr. Bernard Oko Boye, Kweku Agyeman Manu and Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare.

He said the amount already committed to the project should have produced far more tangible results, suggesting that better supervision and financial control could have allowed the country to build at least 22 hospitals.

Mahama also disputed previous statements suggesting that the Agenda 111 facilities were almost ready for use. He maintained that despite the money spent and assurances given, none of the hospitals is presently serving patients.

Agenda 111 was launched during the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo as an ambitious plan to improve healthcare infrastructure and provide hospitals in underserved areas. However, delays and questions over expenditure have continued to surround the programme.

Mahama also used the national address to draw attention to Ghana’s broader financial difficulties.

He said the Sinking Fund had only $64,000 and GH¢143,000 available, describing the position as far below what had previously been reported.

He further disclosed that the country is expected to make debt repayments of GH¢280 billion within the next four years. The figure includes GH¢150 billion in domestic obligations and GH¢130 billion in external debt, while Ghana’s overall debt stands at GH¢721 billion, according to his account.

State-owned enterprises are also facing significant financial pressure. Mahama said ECG currently owes GH¢68 billion, while COCOBOD’s liabilities have reached GH¢32.5 billion, with GH¢9.7 billion reportedly due before September 2025.

Despite outlining the challenges, Mahama said his government would work towards restoring economic stability. He announced that a National Economic Dialogue would be organised and that a detailed budget would present measures designed to put the economy back on a stable path.

The former president acknowledged the economic difficulties being experienced by citizens and promised to pursue practical solutions rather than allow the situation to deteriorate further.

Referring to his previous handling of the power crisis, Mahama declared, “I fixed the power crisis when I promised to, and I will also fix this economic mess.”

His remarks centred on the need for responsible management of public funds, greater transparency and a long-term plan for economic recovery and national development.