By Jones Anlimah
The Agenda 111 project, aimed at building 111 new district and regional hospitals across the country, is making significant progress in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region. Construction works on the hospital project in the district have reached an advanced stage and according to contractors working on the project, all things being equal, the hospital will be handed over for use before the end of the year
The Akatsi North District Hospital is one of the hospitals being constructed under the Agenda 111 initiative, which seeks to improve healthcare delivery and access to quality healthcare for Ghanaians. When completed, the hospital will serve a population of about 32,000 people in the district and surrounding areas.
Construction on the hospital started in January 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of December this year. Construction works on the first phase of the hospital, which mainly comprise the superstructure and substructure as well as other external works, have reached advanced stages. According to the constructors working on the hospital, Global Management Constructions, 90 percent of the hospital’s superstructure has been completed. 100 percent of the substructure have also been completed, with 40 percent of the external works also nearing completion.
A visit by GBCNEWS to the project site revealed that roofing, plastering, and some plumbing work have all been completed. Construction work was also ongoing when GBCNEWS visited the project site. Contractors say they are ahead of schedule on construction work on the first phase of the hospital project. The news team learnt that construction work on the second phase of the hospital project, which consists mainly of installations and improvements to the road networks leading to the hospital, is expected to commence in June.
Speaking on the progress of the works, the Project Manager of Global Management Constructions, Mr. Fadi Ayoub, enumerated some challenges they are confronted with but assured that the hospital will be handed over for use on December 15, 2023. “We don’t have any problems with the economy now; everything is fine. We are ahead of schedule. Most of our people are coming from Accra, so we have to find accommodation for them, and that is one of our challenges,” he said.
“Now we have started the rainy season, so that may delay us, and we also have power issues. Even though we have two generators to support us, it is still not enough. We are planning to commission this project by the end of this year, specifically December 15 2023,” Mr Ayoub assured.
In an interview with GBCNEWS, the Akatsi North District Chief Executive, Mr. Simon Peter Kofi Ofosu, said the project is part of the government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and access to quality healthcare in the district. According to him, the construction of the facility in the district presents a bigger opportunity to further open the district for development by creating employment opportunities, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing the overall wellbeing of people in the district.
“Staff will be coming into the district; doctors, nurses, as well as other health paramedics will also be coming to work in the district, and so of course they will need accommodation. Even if the Assembly is unable to do it all, we want to partner with investors so that they can put up housing units for these staff,” he noted.
The hospital will provide essential medical services, including maternal and child health, emergency care, surgery, and laboratory services, among others.
Ghanaians are eagerly anticipating the completion of the various Agenda 111 projects, and the Akatsi North District Hospital is one of the hospitals that has raised hopes of better healthcare delivery in the country.
