Akandoh Laments Poor Execution of $100m Connectivity Project by Lightwave

The Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed strong disappointment over the poor performance of Lightwave, the company contracted to execute a $100 million health connectivity project aimed at linking health facilities across the country.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Presidency on Tuesday October 29,2025, the Minister disclosed that the project, which commenced in 2019, was originally expected to be completed in 2022. However, delays in implementation led to two extensions, ultimately expiring on December 31, 2024.

“In 2019 Ghana government signed a contract with a company called “Lightwave”, and the contract sum was 100 million dollars to connect 950 health facilities,” Hon. Akandoh stated during his presentation.

The project was designed to strengthen Ghana’s health sector’s digital infrastructure by connecting 950 hospitals, clinics, and health centers to enhance communication, data sharing, and service delivery through the Lightwave Health Information Management System.

According to the Health Minister, the contract’s poor execution became evident when the initial three-year timeline stretched to five years with disappointing results.

“The contract was supposed to expire in 2022 at the end of 2022, the contract was not well executed. And if I say not well executed, [they] had not connected the 950 facilities. And therefore the contract was extended twice to expire in December, 31 December 2024,” he explained.

By the project’s conclusion, only 450 out of the targeted 950 facilities had been connected, representing less than half of the intended scope.

“At the end of the expiration out of the 950 facilities, only 450 facilities had been connected. At this point, you would all agree with me, but the contract was meant for three years and extended to for five years, for 950 facilities, and you have only delivered 450 facilities. Clearly, nobody needs to tell you that the company underperformed,” Hon. Akandoh emphasized.

Perhaps more concerning was the financial aspect of the underperformance. The Minister revealed that despite completing less than half the work, Lightwaves had received a disproportionate amount of the contract sum.

“I have stated that the contract sum was 100 million dollars at the end of 31st December 2024 although 450 out of the 950 had been connected, the vendor had been paid about $77 million clearly, more than 70% of the total amount had been paid, and less than 50% of the work has been done,” he disclosed.

This significant payment-to-performance gap prompted the Ministry to take decisive action.

“At that point, we had to refer everything to the AG and appropriate quarters in Greenland security for advice and appropriate action,” the Minister stated.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Hon. Akandoh emphasized that the Ministry’s primary focus remained on finding solutions to prevent service disruptions to the connected facilities.

“As a ministry, what we have to concern ourselves with was the solution of the matter, to get out this mess in order to avoid these disruptions and the shutdowns we are experiencing,” he explained.

The Minister revealed that even without an existing contract with the vendor at the time of takeover, the Ministry showed willingness to maintain services for the facilities that were successfully connected.

“Although we didn’t have any contract with the vendor as at the time we took over, we indicated to the vendor that the ministry was ready to sign service maintenance agreement covering the 450 health facilities,” he said.

Hon. Akandoh explained that the contract was structured in phases to ensure proper monitoring and handover of completed work.

“The contract was divided into what we call milestones, Milestone One, Milestone Two, milestone three. So at the end of each milestone, they are supposed to hand over to the state the [completed work],” he detailed.

The Minister also clarified the nature of software system involved in the project.

“Don’t forget that the software is and was not for the state. That is why it’s called Light Wave Health Information Management System,” he noted.

This case highlights the critical importance of robust contract monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in government projects, particularly those involving significant financial commitments and essential public services.

The Health Minister’s revelations underscore the need for stricter oversight and accountability measures to prevent similar setbacks in future technology initiatives aimed at improving Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.

The government’s handling of this situation will likely influence how future public-private partnerships in the health sector are structured and monitored to ensure value for money and timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects.