The Ministry of Health Ghana has attributed delays in the operationalisation of the Weija Paediatric Hospital to procurement concerns raised by the World Bank and a subsequent payment dispute with contractors.
In a press release issued on May 5, 2026, the Ministry confirmed that the hospital project, which is funded by the World Bank, commenced in 2023 and was initially scheduled for completion in December 2025.
However, the process encountered setbacks in 2024 after the World Bank flagged alleged misprocurement issues, including claims that some medical equipment costs were inflated by up to eleven times their actual value.
According to the Ministry, these concerns led the World Bank to withhold settlement of outstanding payments related to the project. This development has had a direct impact on efforts to complete and commission the facility.
The Ministry explained that although it had engaged key stakeholders and was prepared to operationalise the hospital, the contractor halted the process, insisting that all outstanding issues be resolved before granting access to the facility.
“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,” the statement noted.
It further emphasised the importance of the hospital within Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in delivering specialised medical care for children. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full operationalisation of the facility as soon as possible.
The statement also appealed to residents of Weija and the general public to remain patient while efforts are underway to address the impasse and bring the project to completion.
