2027 Budget: GH¢8.9bn allocated for new hospitals, completion of 35 Agenda 111 facilities – Ato Forson

The government has earmarked GH¢8.9 billion in the 2027 Budget for hospital construction and completion, alongside investments in psychiatric care, mental health services and digital healthcare systems.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the allocations while presenting the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12.

A major component of the proposed expenditure is GH¢6.8 billion to commence the construction of two specialist hospitals, six regional hospitals, a mother and child centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and two district hospitals.

The projects are expected to expand healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised and maternal healthcare services.

The government has also allocated GH¢1 billion for the completion of the Eastern and Western Regional Hospitals.

A further GH¢1 billion has been set aside to complete 35 district hospitals under the Agenda 111 programme.

The two allocations bring the provision for completing the regional and Agenda 111 hospitals to GH¢2 billion, as the government seeks to advance ongoing healthcare infrastructure projects.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the government has allocated GH¢70 million to support psychiatric hospitals across the country.

The funding is expected to provide additional resources for psychiatric institutions to strengthen their operations and improve care for people living with mental health conditions.

Another GH¢20 million has been earmarked to operationalise the Mental Health Fund.

Dr Forson said the provision was intended to strengthen support for people whose mental health needs are often overlooked.

The fund is expected to complement the allocation to psychiatric hospitals by supporting broader interventions across the mental health sector.

The government has also set aside GH¢60 million towards the completion of the La General Hospital.

The allocation is expected to support outstanding works on the facility as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare services.

In a further investment in technology-driven healthcare delivery, the government has allocated GH¢11 million to the e-Health Project.

Dr Forson said the funding would support the use of digital systems in the health sector.

The allocations form part of the government's broader plans to expand healthcare infrastructure, improve access to specialised services and strengthen the country's health delivery system.