Two arrested for stealing iron rods from Agenda 111 hospital site in Kasoa
The suspects were apprehended by the Kasoa Ofaakor Jei River Police following a tip-off. Security personnel at the Odupong Ofaakor Senior High School intercepted the trio, who had arrived at the scene with a tricycle loaded with stolen iron rods.
Two young men are in police custody after allegedly stealing iron rods from the Agenda 111 hospital construction site at Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of Ghana's Central Region. A third suspect is currently at large after managing to escape during the arrest.
The suspects were apprehended by the Kasoa Ofaakor Jei River Police following a tip-off. Security personnel at the Odupong Ofaakor Senior High School intercepted the trio, who had arrived at the scene with a tricycle loaded with stolen iron rods.
Upon inspection, 31 pieces of 18-millimetre iron rods were discovered in the tricycle. During police interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed, admitting that this was not their first time stealing from the site.
Emmanuel Sakyi, one of the security guards who confronted the group, recounted the events to Adom News’ Kofi Adjei. He said the suspects admitted to the theft when challenged. However, their attempt to flee prompted the security team and concerned residents to raise an alarm, shouting "thief, thief"—which led to a chase that ended with the capture of two suspects.
The third individual managed to escape, and police efforts are underway to apprehend him.
In the wake of the incident, Mr. Seth Banini, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Awutu Senya East, visited the scene. He strongly condemned the act, warning the youth in Kasoa to steer clear of criminal activity and avoid actions that damage the community’s image.
Mr. Banini also used the opportunity to reiterate his administration’s commitment to job creation and urged young people to seek out productive opportunities to improve their lives and contribute to the area’s development.
The theft has added to the challenges facing the Agenda 111 project, which was launched under former President Nana Akufo-Addo to build 111 health facilities across the country in a bid to boost universal healthcare and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.
The ambitious project includes the construction of 101 district hospitals, 7 regional hospitals, 2 psychiatric facilities, and the redevelopment of existing health institutions. Each site was designed to include staff accommodation and meet modern infrastructure standards.
However, none of the hospitals have been completed or opened, with the current government blaming the previous administration for failing to allocate a dedicated funding source. As a result, work on several sites has come to a halt.
President John Dramani Mahama recently told Parliament that he has directed the Minister of Health to develop a comprehensive strategy to move the project forward. He said the government is open to Public-Private Partnerships and franchising models as a means to complete and operationalise the long-delayed healthcare infrastructure.
