The Ministry of Health has dismissed reports suggesting that construction of the Weija Paediatric Hospital has been halted or cancelled, stating that work on the project is progressing steadily.
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 13, the Ministry explained that construction activities by Awerco Construction Limited are continuing without interruption. It emphasised that no notice of termination or suspension has been issued to the contractor.
The Ministry further clarified that the World Bank’s involvement in the project is strictly limited to funding support and does not extend to contracting or procurement oversight for the hospital’s construction.
The clarification follows media reports referencing a World Bank Post-Procurement Review into the purchase of medical equipment under a previous administration.
That review reportedly found prices higher than prevailing market rates, leading to the cancellation of US$3.8 million in funding.
According to the Ministry, the issues raised in the review are unrelated to the ongoing Weija Paediatric Hospital project and do not affect its completion. It noted that the facility is nearing completion, with snagging works and preparations for operationalisation currently underway.
The Ministry’s spokesperson, Tony Goodman, urged media organisations and the public to verify information with official sources before publication. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to completing the hospital and delivering quality paediatric healthcare services to residents of the Weija-Gbawe area and beyond.
Read the full statement below
PRESS RELEASE
Weija Paediatrics Hospital Project: A World Bank Project and Matters Arising
The Ministry of Health has become aware of media publications on the ongoing Weija Paediatrics Hospital, a World Bank Project under the Ministry.
The Ministry of Health wishes to state as follows:
1. That we have not made, nor caused to be made, any publication whatsoever regarding the said Hospital Project. We further wish to clarify that work on the project by Awerco Construction Limited is ongoing and continues without any form of interference from the Ministry.
2. The Weija Paediatric Hospital Project is contracted by the Ministry of Health and Awerco Construction Ltd. on a Design-and-Build basis.
3. The contract includes supply and installation of medical equipment.
4. The World Bank is not a party to either the Works or Equipment contract with the Contractor except for the funding of the project.
5. The Ministry of Health has not issued any notices of termination, suspension, or cancellation to the Contractor.
5. For the record, the World Bank conducted a Post-Procurement Review (PPR) of the CT scanner purchased for the project by the previous government.
6. Their finding was that the price was high, that all items purchased were three to 11 times the average or fair market price.
7. This has caused the World Bank to cancel $ 3.8 million US Dollars which was used to procure these equipment.
8. The Ministry of Health has not cancelled the Weija Pediatric Hospital Project or any contract with Awerco Company Ltd.
9. The project is still a Ministry of Health facility nearing completion, with snagging ongoing and preparations underway for takeover and operation.
10. The Ministry continues to engage the Contractor and the World Bank separately, in accordance with their respective contractual and funding roles.
11. The Ministry of Health wishes to advise media houses to cross check their facts from the official sources of the Ministry before publishing their stories.
12. The Ministry will continue to work in the interest of the people of Ghana in providing quality healthcare.
Tony Goodman
Head, Health Training Institutions & Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health
13th December, 2025
info@businessghana.com
