Deputy Health Minister Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah has mounted a stout defence of President John Dramani Mahama’s handling of projects and policies inherited from previous administrations, rejecting suggestions that the current government has abandoned initiatives started before it assumed office.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem with Abena Opoku Ahwenee, the Deputy Minister insisted that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has not only continued inherited programmes but has strengthened them, citing the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy as a prime example.
“President Mahama has not abandoned any inherited policy or project. Look at Free SHS; we have strengthened the programme,” she stated.
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Her comments come amid lingering public concern that the change of government could threaten the survival of flagship policies rolled out under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, particularly the Free SHS programme, which remains one of the most politically sensitive interventions in Ghana’s education sector.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah also pointed to the Agenda 111 hospital project as evidence of the government’s commitment to completing inherited undertakings, noting that President Mahama had pledged to finish 35 of the facilities. The Agenda 111 initiative, which seeks to construct hospitals across all districts of the country, was launched under the previous government and has faced delays and funding challenges.
The Deputy Health Minister, who doubles as a Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan constituency, added that the President deserved commendation for the work undertaken so far, arguing that assessments of his administration should take into account the time available to implement its plans.
Her defence of the government’s record reflects the political sensitivity surrounding inherited projects in Ghana, where successive administrations have often been accused of shelving or rebranding initiatives begun by their predecessors. By highlighting continuity on Free SHS and Agenda 111, the Deputy Minister sought to project an image of a government focused on delivery rather than partisanship.
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The Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, provides tuition-free secondary education to students in public schools and has significantly increased enrolment. However, it has also been criticised for placing pressure on infrastructure and funding, debates that the current government must now navigate as it pursues expansion.
Similarly, Agenda 111 has been a focal point of national discussion, with many Ghanaians awaiting the completion of the promised facilities to ease pressure on existing health infrastructure. The pledge to complete 35 of the hospitals offers a measurable benchmark against which the government’s performance may be judged.
Political observers note that the government’s ability to complete such projects will be a key test of its credibility, especially given the fiscal constraints under which it operates. The Deputy Minister’s appeal for patience suggests the administration is aware that expectations are high and that delivery will be central to its political fortunes.
As the debate over inherited projects continues, Dr Ayensu-Danquah’s remarks will likely add to the ongoing national conversation about continuity, accountability, and the prudent use of state resources in the delivery of public services.
