Ministry of Health Hands Over Long-Awaited 120-Bed Weija Children’s Specialist Hospital to Ghana Health Service

The Ministry of Health has officially handed over the 120-bed Children’s Specialist Hospital at Weija to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), marking a critical milestone in the effort to enhance pediatric care within the Weija-Gbawe Municipality. The formal transfer, which took place on August 7, 2026, follows months of intensifying public pressure and a significant demonstration by local residents in May 2026. The facility is designed to provide specialized pediatric services, significantly reducing the burden on the overstretched St. Louis Children’s Hospital and other nearby clinics that have struggled to meet the healthcare needs of the growing community.

While the handover by the contractor, Awerco Construction Limited, is a positive development, the exact timeline for the hospital’s operational commencement remains uncertain. Despite the physical completion of the building over a year ago, unresolved financial obligations between the government and the contractor have previously stalled progress. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) was reportedly involved in resolving procurement and financial disputes to facilitate this handover. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has indicated that the facility could potentially begin admitting patients almost immediately due to prior staffing arrangements, though administrative hurdles still linger.

Residents of Weija and surrounding areas have expressed both relief and cautious optimism regarding the news. For years, the community has advocated for the hospital's opening, citing the unnecessary travel distances and wait times for specialized child healthcare. The GHS is now tasked with finalizing the last of the staffing and administrative logistics to ensure the hospital can safely welcome its first patients. As the focus shifts to operational readiness, stakeholders are urging the government to settle all outstanding debts to prevent any further disruptions to service delivery at this vital healthcare hub.