The Ministry of Health (MoH) has attributed the continued delay in opening the fully completed Weija Paediatric Hospital to procurement irregularities and unresolved contractual disputes with the contractor.
The 120-bed facility, which was completed in early 2025, was expected to serve as a major referral centre for paediatric care in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality and surrounding communities, helping to reduce congestion at other health facilities and improve health outcomes for children.
Residents on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, staged a protest at the hospital premises, demanding the immediate commissioning of the facility.
In a statement issued in response to the protest, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Tony Goodman, explained that the hospital project, funded by the World Bank and initiated in 2023, was originally scheduled for completion in December 2025. However, setbacks arose after the funding partner raised concerns over “misprocurement.”
According to the Ministry, the World Bank flagged significant irregularities, including allegations that the cost of some medical equipment had been inflated by as much as 11 times their actual market prices. This prompted the World Bank to withhold settlement of outstanding payments.
The Ministry indicated it is ready to commission the hospital but noted that the contractor has halted the handover process until all outstanding issues are resolved.
“The Ministry of Health is actively engaging all stakeholders to resolve the matter in the best interest of the public,” Goodman said in the statement.
The Ministry acknowledged the critical importance of the hospital to Ghana’s healthcare system, especially in providing specialised care for children, and appealed for calm among residents.
“We wish to assure the public that the Ministry of Health is committed to working assiduously to ensure the full operationalisation of the Paediatric Hospital,” the statement added.
