The Minister of Health, Dr. Okoe-Boye, has attributed the slow pace of the Agenda 111 projects to the lack of capacity by some local contractors engaged for the project. Appearing before the Assurance Committee of Parliament, Dr. Okoe-Boye explained that the government’s decision to prioritize local content by awarding contracts to local contractors has been hindered by their inability to execute the project within timelines.
The Minister acknowledged that the project, initially scheduled for completion in 18 months, has faced numerous challenges, including land acquisition issues, litigation, and low contractor capacity. He assured the committee that 28 of the projects will be completed by the end of 2024, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring that every district hospital can provide basic primary healthcare services.
Dr. Okoe-Boye defended the government’s decision to award contracts to local contractors, citing the need to promote local content and capacity building. However, he admitted that some contractors have underperformed, necessitating changes to ensure the project’s successful completion.
The Chairman of the Assurance Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, questioned the government’s failure to anticipate these challenges before making promises about the project’s completion. Dr. Okoe-Boye assured the committee that the majority of the projects will be completed before the President hands over to the next government.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
