The Ministry of Health has issued a formal appeal for patience following a wave of public demonstrations at the Weija Paediatric Hospital on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Protesters gathered at the facility to express their frustration over the prolonged delay in the hospital’s opening, prompting the government to clarify the complex financial and legal hurdles currently stalling the project.
In a press statement issued by Ministry spokesperson Tony Goodman, the government revealed that the project, which began in 2023 with funding from the World Bank, has been derailed by serious allegations of financial misconduct.
According to the Ministry, the World Bank raised red flags in 2024 regarding “misprocurement,” specifically citing the discovery of inflated costs for medical equipment.
Investigations reportedly found that some items were priced at approximately 11 times their actual market value.
The fallout from these findings led the World Bank to withhold outstanding payments for the project, creating a massive funding gap. While the Ministry of Health attempted to move forward with commissioning the facility to serve the community, the contractor has physically halted the process.
The contractor is reportedly refusing to grant the government access to the hospital until all outstanding debts and contractual disputes are fully resolved.
Acknowledging the hospital’s vital role in providing specialized pediatric care for the children of Ghana, the Ministry emphasized that it is working assiduously to break the deadlock.
Officials stated they are actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to find a resolution that protects the public interest while satisfying legal obligations. The Ministry concluded by urging the residents of Weija and the wider public to remain calm, assuring them that the government remains committed to the full operationalisation of the facility despite the current impasse.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
