Ghana's government will partner with faith-based organisations to manage some uncompleted Agenda 111 hospitals. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh made this announcement at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in Koforidua. This move aims to accelerate access to healthcare and support the Free Primary Healthcare programme.
The government has identified 35 health facilities under construction as an immediate priority for completion and operationalisation. Minister Akandoh stressed that other uncompleted facilities must not remain idle. He has directed his chief director to engage churches and other faith-based organisations for potential management partnerships. This strategy represents a significant shift from traditional public-sector management of health infrastructure.
This initiative responds to significant delays and funding constraints impacting the ambitious Agenda 111 project. Launched in August 2021, Agenda 111 aimed to build 111 hospitals across Ghana. The initiative sought to address healthcare access gaps exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many projects remain unfinished despite significant investment over the past four years.
The current government, led by President Mahama, previously indicated that completing all outstanding Agenda 111 projects simultaneously was not feasible. Instead, it prioritises facilities closest to completion. This new proposal explores alternative strategies for the remaining projects.
The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) is a crucial player in Ghana’s health system. CHAG operates 317 health facilities, comprising about 17 per cent of the country's health infrastructure. These facilities deliver between 13 and 14 per cent of all healthcare services annually. CHAG facilities serve between 8 million and 10 million patients every year, many in rural and remote communities.
Minister Akandoh lauded CHAG as a natural partner due to its extensive presence in underserved areas. He noted the organisation’s reach even in remote parts of Ghana lacking strong infrastructure. He highlighted that some districts still lack a single medical doctor. This underscores the need to maximise existing health infrastructure.
The proposed partnerships are also linked to the government’s recently launched Free Primary Healthcare programme. Expanding access to functioning health facilities will be critical for the policy's success. The government prioritises not just completing buildings but ensuring they deliver healthcare services immediately.
If implemented, this new partnership could lead to faith-based organisations taking an expanded role in managing selected health facilities. This would help the government operationalise long-delayed hospital projects. It would also improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved parts of the country. This strategic partnership seeks to turn significant public investment into tangible health benefits for citizens.