President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has officially inaugurated the newly renovated Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, a $52 million project to enhance healthcare services in Ghana’s Upper East Region. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to serve as a premier healthcare centre for the region and beyond. At the commissioning ceremony, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the fundamental right of every Ghanaian to access quality healthcare, emphasizing that this principle should be practically realized.
“Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that this right is not just theoretical but practical,” the President stated. A $20 million concessional loan from the Saudi Fund for Development, which supported the project’s second and third phases, financed the renovation of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. An additional $32 million from the same fund completed critical infrastructure improvements, including a modern kitchen, a central sterile supply department, a mortuary block, staff accommodation, and new medical equipment.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges faced during the project, particularly funding issues that threatened to constrain its scope. However, he commended the Ministry of Health for its efforts in securing the necessary resources, resulting in a facility equipped to effectively address the region’s healthcare needs. In his address, the President also outlined his administration’s broader healthcare strategy, including the Agenda 111 initiative, which aims to construct 111 district and regional hospitals across Ghana.
As of May 2024, construction is underway at 96 sites, with several expected to be completed by the end of the year. Akufo-Addo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equitable development across all regions, regardless of political affiliation. “The NPP government remains dedicated to promoting the development of this region, even though it has consistently not supported our political objectives,” he said, assuring that the benefits of progress will extend throughout the country.
In addition to infrastructure development, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the need to address the uneven distribution of healthcare workers, especially in rural areas. He urged the Ministry of Health to expedite the implementation of an incentive package to attract and retain medical professionals in underserved regions. Reflecting on his government’s achievements, the President noted the recruitment of over 200,000 medical personnel since 2017 and a 69% increase in active National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership.
He also highlighted the addition of 8,665 hospital beds nationwide as evidence of his administration’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure. Concluding his remarks, President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to the Saudi Fund for Development and all stakeholders involved in the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital project. He urged the residents of Bolgatanga and the Upper East Region to take ownership of the hospital, support its health workers, and ensure its upkeep.
“The Akufo-Addo government remains committed to the development and well-being of every Ghanaian. We act without bias or discrimination,” he affirmed before officially opening the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for public use. The inauguration marks the start of a new era in healthcare delivery for the Upper East Region.
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