The Ministry of Health has attributed delays in operationalising the Weija Paediatric Hospital to procurement irregularities and unresolved contractual issues.
The explanation follows mounting public anger, including a May 5 protest by residents of Weija-Gbawe, who demanded the immediate opening of the hospital to address critical gaps in paediatric healthcare.
The fully furnished 120-bed hospital, completed in early 2025, is expected to serve as a major referral centre for paediatric care, easing congestion at existing health facilities and improving outcomes for critically ill children in Weija-Gbawe and surrounding communities.
Residents in Weija and its adjoining communities embarked on a massive protest clad in red and black, decrying what they describe as an unjustified delay in operationalising a fully equipped facility.
According to the enraged residents, the hospital could significantly ease pressure on existing health facilities and prevent avoidable child deaths.
Many also highlighted the economic impact, noting that trained health professionals remain unemployed while a modern hospital sits idle.
However, in a press statement issued on May 5, the Ministry acknowledged the protest but attributed the delay to serious procurement breaches.
According to the statement, the hospital, funded by the World Bank and launched in 2023, was originally scheduled for completion in December 2025. However, the project ran into trouble in 2024 when the World Bank flagged irregularities.
“The World Bank raised concerns about misprocurement, which included inflated costs of medical equipment up to about 11 times the actual price,” the statement revealed.
This development led to a major funding setback:
“As a result, the World Bank declined to settle all the outstanding payments.”
Additionally, the contractor allegedly blocked the commissioning of the hospital when the government decided to officially do so, as said by the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry disclosed that while it was “prepared to commission the facility for use,” the contractor refused access:
“The contractor subsequently halted this process, insisting that all outstanding issues be fully resolved before granting access to the hospital.”
This standoff has effectively locked the government out of a completed facility, preventing its use.
Despite the challenges, the Ministry insists it is actively working to resolve the impasse.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the people of Ghana that it is actively engaging all stakeholders to resolve the matter in the best interest of the public.”
It also underscored the hospital’s importance:
“The Ministry acknowledges the critical importance of the hospital… particularly in providing specialised care for children.”
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