By Francis Ntow, GNA
Accra, May 26, GNA – The World Bank is calling on the Government to speed up efforts towards opening and operationalising the US$10.15 million-120-bed Weija Paediatric Facility in the shortest time possible.
“The World Bank is strongly desirous to see the Government of Ghana operationalise and open the Weija Paediatric Facility as soon as possible,” the Bank said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday.
The Government constructed and equipped the facility under the World Bank COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (P173788), closed on December 16, 2025, following a six-month extension.
The extension, the Bank said, was to allow for the completion of key activities for which the Government had not released an International Development Association (IDA) spending.
The incomplete activities included 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 bank said the Government was responsible for providing its own resources to complete the outstanding environmental and social safeguard obligations under the project and to settle any obligations it had incurred for expenditures ineligible for IDA financing.
“To fully operationalise the hospital, the Government will need to complete these necessary actions and assign staff to the facility,” the statement noted, indicating continued engagement with the government to see the facility open to the public.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, in March, called on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to take immediate steps to commission the hospital for operations to start.
Earlier in May, the Ministry of Health assured of addressing delays in the operationalisation of the hospital, following demonstration by some residents, demanding its opening to improve access to specialised paediatric healthcare.
Once operational, the facility is expected to serve as a major referral centre for paediatric care in the region, easing pressure on existing facilities and improving outcomes for children requiring specialised medical attention.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Francis Ntow