The World Bank says it is strongly desirous to see the Government of Ghana operationalize and open the Weija Pediatric facility as soon as possible, according to a statement on Monday.
The Bank explained that the government constructed and equipped the 120-bed hospital under the World Bank COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (P173788) at a cost of US$10.15 million.
The Project, according to the World Bank, closed on December 16, 2025, following a 6-month extension to allow for the completion of key activities for which government had not released International Development Association (IDA) spending.
The statement explained that as at project closing, several activities remained incomplete, including at the Weija hospital (the installation of some equipment and the implementation of selected safety measures required by the Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework for health facilities).
The World Bank stated that the government may use undisbursed IDA funds under the project to pay outstanding obligations for IDA eligible activities until June 16, 2025.
“Government is responsible for providing its own resources to complete the outstanding environmental and social safeguard obligations under the project and to settle any obligations it has incurred for expenditures ineligible for IDA financing. To fully operationalize the hospital, the Government will need to complete these necessary actions and assign staff to the facility,” said the Bank.
It further stated that it remains engaged to encourage the government to operationalize and open the facility.
Residents of Weija Gbawe in the Greater Accra Region staged a protest early this month over the continued closure of a fully completed Children’s Specialist Hospital, calling for its immediate operationalization.
According to the protesters, the delay is limiting access to quality healthcare for children, contributing to congestion in nearby facilities and, in some cases, preventable deaths.
The Ministry of Health stated that the funding partner (the World Bank) raised “misprocurement” concerns including allegations that the costs of some medical equipment were inflated to well above market value, causing the bank to withhold outstanding payments.
It also explained the delay is tied to unresolved contractual disputes and irregularities, which has stalled the official handover and commissioning of the facility
The Health Ministry appealed to residents to remain patient while it actively engages stakeholders to resolve the financial and procurement blocks before it will be opened. Enditem
Source: World Bank
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