The Ministry of Health has indicated that the Children’s Specialist Hospital located at McCarthy Junction in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality is expected to begin operations within the next few weeks after prolonged delays linked to funding and contractual issues.
Speaking in an interview on Starr FM’s Morning Starr programme on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Goodman, said discussions among key stakeholders have progressed positively, giving authorities confidence that the facility will soon be ready for commissioning.
According to him, recent developments suggest the long-stalled project is finally nearing completion, with expectations that the hospital could officially open within two to three weeks.
The assurance comes after some residents in Weija staged a protest demanding the immediate opening of the pediatric hospital, arguing that the completed structure has remained unused for too long despite the healthcare needs of the area.
Explaining the setbacks, Goodman disclosed that disagreements between the contractor and the World Bank, which funded the project, delayed the handover process. He noted that concerns were raised over procurement practices after auditors reportedly identified significant disparities in the pricing of some medical equipment.
He stated that the World Bank declined to release payment for part of the contract after questioning the cost of certain items, claiming some prices far exceeded prevailing market rates.
The disagreement, he explained, resulted in the contractor withholding the keys to the facility until financial commitments and outstanding issues were resolved.
Goodman also revealed that an earlier plan to inaugurate the hospital in early 2026 had to be suspended because of the unresolved dispute.
The 120-bed specialist facility is expected to play a major role in easing pressure on children’s wards across hospitals in the Greater Accra Region while improving access to specialized pediatric healthcare services.
He appealed to residents and local leaders, including the Member of Parliament for Weija, Jerry Ahmed Shaibu, to remain patient as negotiations continue among the Ministry, the contractor, and the World Bank.
Goodman stressed that government wants to ensure all technical and contractual matters are properly settled before the hospital begins operations to avoid future complications with the equipment and infrastructure.
He added that ongoing meetings among all parties involved have been encouraging, expressing optimism that a final agreement will soon pave the way for the official commissioning of the hospital.
