By Amoako Kwame
The Ministry of Health has attributed the delay in making the Weija Paediatric Hospital operational to procurement irregularities and unresolved contractual issues, following protests by residents calling for the facility to be opened.
The fully equipped 120-bed hospital, completed in early 2025, is intended to serve as a key referral centre for paediatric care, helping to reduce congestion at existing health facilities and improve outcomes for critically ill children in Weija-Gbawe and surrounding communities.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, residents staged a protest at the site, demanding the immediate commissioning of the facility for public use.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Tony Goodman, it was explained that the hospital, funded by the World Bank and initiated in 2023, was initially scheduled for completion in December 2025 but faced delays after concerns were raised by the funding partner.
The statement noted that the World Bank identified instances of “misprocurement,” including allegations that the cost of some medical equipment had been inflated by up to eleven times their actual value, leading the institution to withhold payment of outstanding funds.
The Ministry added that although it had engaged relevant stakeholders and was ready to commission the hospital, the contractor suspended the process, insisting that all pending issues be resolved before handing over the facility.
“The Ministry of Health is actively working with all stakeholders to resolve the issue in the public’s best interest,” spokesperson Tony Goodman said.
The Ministry also acknowledged the hospital’s importance to Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in providing specialised care for children, and urged the public to remain calm.
“We wish to assure the public that the Ministry of Health is committed to working diligently to ensure the full operationalisation of the paediatric hospital,” the statement added.
