Politics
$400million Spent, no Operational Hospitals – Mahama on Agenda 111 Projects
President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that approximately $400 million was spent on the agenda 111 hospital projects under the previous administration without a single facility being fully operational.
Delivering his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday, February 27, 2025, President Mahama criticized the execution of the flagship healthcare initiative, which aimed to construct 111 hospitals nationwide to improve access to healthcare.
“It is worth disclosing that USD$400m has already been disbursed under the Agenda 111 projects, yet not a single hospital under this gargantuan initiative is serving the people of Ghana,” he told Parliament.
President Mahama suggested that if resources had been managed efficiently, at least 22 hospitals could have been completed and made operational with the amount already spent.
Sinking fund ‘almost Empty’
The President also raised concerns over Ghana’s Sinking Fund, which was created to help repay debts. Contrary to claims by the previous administration of leaving financial buffers, he disclosed that the fund currently holds only $64,000 and GH₵143,000.
“There have been claims that buffers were left for ongoing debt repayments in 2025. The reality, however, is stark. The Sinking Fund currently shows a balance of only $64,000 in the dollar account and GH₵143,000 in the Cedi account,” Mahama said.
He warned that Ghana faces significant economic challenges, with total debt servicing obligations over the next four years projected at GH₵280 billion, including GH₵150 billion in domestic debt and GH₵130 billion in external debt repayments.
“As a nation, we must acknowledge the scale of this crisis,” he emphasized, calling for fiscal discipline and economic restructuring to stabilize the economy.
Commitment to Bondholders
Despite the economic difficulties, Mahama reassured bondholders that his government remains committed to honoring all financial obligations.
“Bondholders can rest assured that they will be paid up to the last pesewa,” he declared.
His reassurance comes amid growing concerns over Ghana’s financial stability and the impact of past debt restructuring measures on investors.
Energy Sector in Crisis
President Mahama further disclosed that the energy sector is struggling under a debt of GH₵70 billion, inherited from the previous administration.
“The past government left a debt of GH₵70 billion in the energy sector; agencies in the sector are struggling to stay afloat,” he said.
The revelations in Mahama’s address paint a dire picture of Ghana’s financial situation, sparking calls for urgent reforms and accountability in managing public funds.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Alabi, has assured the public that the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency will be conducted without intimidation, interference, or manipulation.
His assurance follows allegations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the Electoral Commission (EC) is showing bias in favour of the NDC ahead of the rerun scheduled for Friday, July 11, across 19 polling stations.
The NPP has labelled the EC’s decision to hold the rerun as “unjust” and has officially withdrawn from the process. However, its parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, has chosen to defy the party’s directive and will participate in the election. Attempts by the NPP to halt the rerun through legal and administrative actions have not succeeded.
In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Thursday, July 10, Joshua Alabi rejected claims that the state might misuse its power to influence the outcome.
“In the past, when state institutions acted corruptly, their powers were taken away. Those days are behind us,” he stated.
Alabi emphasized that the NDC would not adopt questionable tactics, saying, “It’s part of the reason the NPP is in the situation they are now. We won’t repeat their mistakes.”
He also disclosed that the NDC had met with the National Security task force, which assured them that the election would proceed peacefully and transparently.
The rerun was necessitated by disputes over the results in specific polling stations during the December 2024 general election. The Electoral Commission opted for a fresh vote in the affected areas to preserve electoral integrity.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured the public of a fair, transparent, and credible parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025.
At a press briefing on Thursday, July 10, the Deputy Chairperson of the EC, Dr. Bossman Asare, announced that all necessary preparations had been completed to ensure a smooth electoral process. He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to reflecting the true will of the constituents through a credible election.
“On our part as the electoral management body, we are desirous of bringing the election in the Ablekuma North constituency to a conclusion and to ensure that the constituents have a representative in Parliament,” Dr. Asare stated.
The rerun is taking place in 19 polling stations, following the suspension of the collation process during the December 2024 parliamentary elections due to security concerns.
The election will see a renewed contest between the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, and the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Ewurabena Aubynn.
According to the EC, a clear legal and procedural path has been outlined to complete the collation process.
“We have thus provided a path to complete the collation process while ensuring that the residents of Ablekuma North have a representative in Parliament,” Dr. Asare explained.
Reaffirming the Commission’s dedication to electoral integrity, he added, “We assure the public and the political parties that, as always, we will live by our motto and ensure that the rerun is fair, transparent and credible.”
The EC also extended its best wishes to both candidates ahead of the polls.
Former Vice President and immediate past flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has donated GH₵410,000 to the party’s parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, to support her campaign in the upcoming election re-run across 19 polling stations.
This donation comes despite the NPP National Executive Committee’s (NEC) decision to boycott the re-run. Ms. Owusu Afriyie, however, has chosen to defy the party’s directive and contest the election, stating that she believes she legitimately won the 2024 general elections and is determined to prove it at the polls.
Sources close to Dr. Bawumia confirmed the donation, explaining that he considers it part of his ongoing responsibility to support the party’s electoral efforts, regardless of the NEC’s position.
The donation is expected to bolster Ms. Afriyie’s campaign as she aims to retain the parliamentary seat for the NPP.
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