The World Bank is pressing the government to urgently operationalise the 120-bed Weija Pediatric Hospital, warning that several critical activities remained incomplete even after the closure of the COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project that financed the facility.
The hospital was constructed and equipped under the World Bank-supported project at a cost of US$10.15 million. The project officially closed on December 16, 2025, following a six-month extension granted to allow the government complete outstanding activities after delays linked to the release of International Development Association (IDA) spending.
Despite the extension, unfinished work remained at the time of closure, including the installation of some medical equipment and implementation of selected safety measures required under the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework for health facilities.
In a statement, the World Bank said it is “strongly desirous” to see the government operationalise and open the facility as soon as possible, underscoring the importance of completing all remaining obligations before the hospital becomes fully functional.
The Bank noted that Ghana can still use undisbursed IDA funds under the project to settle outstanding obligations for eligible activities until June 16, 2025. However, expenditures deemed ineligible for IDA financing, as well as pending environmental and social safeguard obligations, must be financed directly by the government.
“To fully operationalise the hospital, the Government will need to complete these necessary actions and assign staff to the facility,” the statement said.
The development highlights broader implementation and fiscal pressures facing Ghana’s public infrastructure projects, particularly in the health sector, where financing constraints and delayed counterpart funding have slowed the completion of several facilities initiated during the pandemic period.
The operationalisation of the Weija Pediatric Hospital is expected to expand specialised child healthcare capacity in the Greater Accra region and reduce pressure on existing referral facilities.
The World Bank said it remains engaged with the government to encourage the opening of the hospital and completion of all outstanding requirements.
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