Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh Prioritizes 35 Agenda 111 Projects and Launches Free Primary Healthcare Initiative

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced a strategic shift in the implementation of the government’s flagship Agenda 111 health initiative, prioritizing 35 specific projects for immediate completion. Speaking before Parliament on June 16, 2026, the Minister explained that limited financial resources have necessitated a phased approach to the ambitious hospital construction program. This announcement follows a week of high-profile activity for the Minister, which included being honored by traditional leaders for his contributions to national healthcare delivery and the official launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme.

The decision to prioritize 35 of the 111 projects stems from comprehensive audits and stakeholder consultations aimed at ensuring the efficient use of public funds. Under this first phase, the government will focus its available capital on ensuring these selected facilities reach full completion before moving on to others. Consequently, some highly anticipated projects, such as the Yunyoo Mo District Hospital and the Bantama project, have been moved to later phases. Minister Akandoh noted that while the Yunyoo Mo project was previously expected to be finished by 2024, it will now be considered only as additional funding becomes available.

During the parliamentary session, the Minister faced inquiries from Members of Parliament regarding the timelines for projects not included in the initial phase. While Akandoh emphasized the government's immediate focus on the prioritized 35, he acknowledged the need for transparency concerning the remaining facilities. The phased implementation is designed to prevent a situation where resources are spread too thin across over a hundred sites, which could lead to stalled construction across the board. The Minister reiterated that healthcare accessibility remains a top priority, even as the government navigates these significant fiscal constraints.

In a related development earlier that week, the chiefs and people of the Agotime and Ziope Traditional Areas formally recognized Minister Akandoh for his commitment to advancing healthcare. During a ceremony on June 12, 2026, Paramount Chief Nene Nuer Keteku IV presented the Minister with a kente cloth as a token of gratitude for the government's investments. The event also served as the launchpad for the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, a policy designed to eliminate financial barriers for vulnerable citizens. While celebrating local improvements, traditional leaders and District Chief Executive Alfred Eklu Odikro took the opportunity to advocate for further support, specifically requesting the establishment of a new district hospital to serve the Agotime-Ziope area.

The convergence of these developments highlights the government's dual-track strategy of managing large-scale infrastructure commitments while expanding immediate access through primary care services. By narrowing the focus of Agenda 111 to a manageable first phase, the Ministry of Health aims to deliver functional facilities more rapidly to selected districts. Moving forward, the success of this strategy will depend on the government's ability to secure the necessary funding for subsequent phases and maintain the collaborative relationships with traditional authorities that underpin local healthcare delivery across Ghana.