Investigations indicate that the Weija Pediatric Hospital in the Greater Accra Region may never be completed due to funding challenges, despite its potential to meet critical healthcare needs in Ghana.
The $14 million project, funded by the World Bank, has stalled following the alleged unilateral cancellation of the construction contract by the funding agency. Construction had been progressing swiftly until the sudden termination, raising concerns among residents and government officials.
Reports suggest the cancellation is linked to price discrepancies, lack of approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), and the absence of a value-for-money audit. However, residents and stakeholders argue that these claims remain unverified. As a result, work on the project has come to a complete standstill.
Activists are urging the World Bank to provide clarity on the reasons for halting the project, particularly given that around $14 million has already been invested.
Construction of the hospital began under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. The planned 120-bed facility, valued at $14 million, is reportedly 65% complete, according to Joseph Adams of Awerco Construction Limited.
Once finished, the hospital will include an emergency unit, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, recovery wards, three operating theatres, VIP wards, imaging and biomedical laboratories, an outpatient department (OPD), and a mother’s hotel.
Originally, the hospital was expected to be fully operational this year. However, the abrupt cancellation has cast doubt on whether the facility will be completed and functional as planned.
