By: Jennifer Nerkie Kenney
The Ministry of Health has expressed concern over a demonstration held at the Weija Paediatric Hospital on Tuesday May 5, 2026, as issues surrounding the facility’s completion and operationalisation continue to unfold. The protest comes against the backdrop of delays linked to procurement challenges and unresolved financial matters involving the project.
According to the Ministry, the Weija Paediatric Hospital project, funded by the World Bank, began in 2023 and was originally scheduled for completion in December 2025. However, progress on the facility has been hindered by complications that emerged during the construction phase.
“The Ministry of Health has noted, with concern, a demonstration that took place at the Weija Paediatric Hospital today, May 5, 2026,” the statement said. “The hospital is a World Bank funded project, which commenced in 2023 and was expected to be completed in December 2025.”
The Ministry disclosed that in 2024, the World Bank flagged concerns about misprocurement, including claims that the cost of some medical equipment had been inflated to as much as eleven times their actual value. These findings significantly affected the project’s financial arrangements and progress.
As a result of these procurement irregularities, the World Bank declined to settle all outstanding payments related to the project, further complicating efforts to complete and operationalise the hospital.
“However, in 2024 the World Bank raised concerns about misprocurement, which included inflated costs of medical equipment up to about 11 times the actual price,” the statement said. “As a result, the World Bank declined to settle all the outstanding payment.”
Despite these setbacks, the Ministry indicated that it took steps to engage relevant stakeholders and was prepared to commission the facility for use, recognising its importance to Ghana’s healthcare system. However, the process was stalled when the contractor halted access to the hospital.
The contractor, according to the Ministry, insisted that all outstanding issues be fully resolved before allowing the facility to be opened and used by the public.
“Recognising the importance of the project, the Ministry of Health engaged relevant stakeholders and was prepared to commission the facility for use,” the statement said. “However, the contractor subsequently halted this process, insisting that all outstanding issues be fully resolved before granting access to the hospital.”
The Ministry further assured the public that it is actively working with all stakeholders to resolve the matter in the best interest of Ghanaians. It emphasised the critical role the hospital is expected to play, particularly in providing specialised healthcare services for children.
The statement also called for calm, especially among residents of Weija, as efforts continue to address the challenges and bring the project to completion.
“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 said. “The Ministry therefore appeals to the people of Weija in particular, and the general public at large, to exercise patience while steps are taken to operationalise the hospital
