Expectations that the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review would provide fresh momentum for Ghana’s health sector, particularly the completion of the Agenda 111 hospital projects, have been met with disappointment following the presentation of the budget review in Parliament.
The absence of new funding commitments or policy interventions for the health sector has sparked concerns among members of Parliament, with questions being raised about the government’s ability to deliver on its healthcare infrastructure promises.
A member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health and MP for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, said the budget review failed to address critical challenges confronting the sector, especially the stalled Agenda 111 hospital programme.
Speaking after Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presented the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, Mr. Acquah noted that many had anticipated renewed financial commitments to accelerate work on the hospital projects. Instead, he said, the statement offered little assurance that the government’s health infrastructure agenda remains a priority.
“We expected the mid-year review to make provision for work to continue on those facilities, but there was nothing. There is no renewed drive or commitment captured in the review,” he said.
Mr. Acquah also questioned the feasibility of the government’s pledge to complete 10 Agenda 111 hospitals this year, arguing that the lack of additional budgetary support undermines confidence in that target.
“If government committed to completing 10 hospitals in the main budget but has not been able to deliver, it becomes difficult to believe that promise when the mid-year review makes no provision over the future of the Agenda 111 programme, a flagship healthcare initiative launched to improve access to to support it,” he stated.
He stressed that improving access to quality healthcare depends on sustained investment in hospital infrastructure and called on the government to prioritise the completion of ongoing projects across the country.
The comments add to the growing public discussion over the future of the Agenda 111 programme, a flagship healthcare initiative launched to improve access to medical services through the construction of hospitals in underserved districts.
