Mounting public frustration over the delayed opening of the Weija Paediatric Hospital has brought renewed attention to procurement disputes and contractual standoffs between key stakeholders, according to the Ministry of Health Ghana.
Residents of Weija-Gbawe took to the streets on May 5, 2026, demanding immediate access to the completed 120-bed facility, which has remained shut despite being fully equipped and ready for use. The hospital is expected to significantly improve specialised child healthcare and reduce pressure on overcrowded facilities in the area.
However, the Ministry says unresolved financial and contractual disagreements have halted progress. Central to the impasse are concerns raised by the World Bank, which funded the project. The institution reportedly flagged cases of “misprocurement,” including allegations that some medical equipment had been priced far above market value—by as much as eleven times—leading to a suspension of outstanding payments.
According to the Ministry’s spokesperson, Tony Goodman, while the government is ready to commission the hospital, the contractor has withheld access until all financial disputes are resolved.
The project, initiated in 2023 and originally slated for completion in December 2025, is now caught in a deadlock that has overshadowed its potential impact on child healthcare delivery.
Despite the setbacks, the Ministry insists efforts are ongoing to resolve the issues and has urged the public to remain calm, assuring that the hospital will be operationalised once the outstanding matters are settled.
