Audit the state of Ghana’s health sector – Kwame Asiedu urges Mahama

Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, a Fellow on Public Health at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has called on Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, to thoroughly review the state of the country’s health sector.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Asiedu highlighted systemic issues within the health sector and urged the incoming administration to prioritise addressing these challenges over new initiatives.

“Let’s stop the joke in this country because it’s no longer funny,” Mr Asiedu remarked, expressing frustration at the persistent inefficiencies in Ghana’s health sector.

He recommended that the President-elect revisit official documents such as the Demographic Health Survey, the Health Urbanisation Facilities Assessment, and the Holistic Assessment Report, all of which detail the challenges within the health system.

“These documents clearly spell out the ails of our health system in black and white,” he stated. “When he finds out what the problems in our health system are, he has to juxtapose these with the funds committed to Agenda 111 and assess whether those resources will deliver value for money compared to solving the problems we’ve already identified.”

Agenda 111, an ambitious government project initiated in 2021, aimed to construct 111 hospitals across Ghana to improve access to healthcare. However, the project has faced delays and financial accountability concerns. Mr Asiedu urged a comprehensive audit of the funds allocated to Agenda 111, as well as an investigation into the status of lands acquired for the project.

“There must be an audit of all the funds committed to Agenda 111 so far,” Mr Asiedu insisted. “Additionally, the President-elect should engage state institutions, such as the Prisons Service, to confirm whether lands acquired for Agenda 111 have been used for their intended purposes. If not, steps must be taken to ensure the lands are returned to the respective state institutions or clarify who currently holds these lands.”

The challenges highlighted by Mr Asiedu reflect broader inefficiencies in Ghana’s health sector. While the Agenda 111 project aimed to expand infrastructure, Ghanaians argue that existing facilities remain underfunded, poorly maintained, and understaffed. Addressing these systemic issues, according to Mr Asiedu, is crucial to ensuring the long term health of Ghanaians.

The Agenda 111 initiative was launched with the promise of transforming healthcare access across Ghana by providing hospitals in undeserved areas. However, questions about the project’s transparency, funding utilisation, and implementation timelines have cast a shadow over its potential impact. The incoming administration faces a critical decision to continue the project in its current form or to re-evaluate its execution to ensure that it aligns with the pressing healthcare needs of the nation.

 Source: myjoyonline.com