The World Bank has called on the Government of Ghana to urgently take the necessary steps to fully operationalize the Weija Pediatric Hospital.
The hospital is a major child healthcare facility constructed under the country’s COVID-19 emergency response programme, but is yet to begin full operations despite significant investment.
In a statement expressing concern over the delayed opening of the facility, the World Bank emphasized its strong desire to see the 120-bed pediatric hospital opened to serve children and families as soon as possible.
The hospital, located in Weija, was constructed and equipped under the World Bank-funded COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project at a total cost of US$10.15 million.
The facility was envisioned as part of Ghana’s broader effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve emergency preparedness during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond its role in pandemic response, the hospital is expected to help address longstanding pressure on pediatric healthcare delivery in the Greater Accra Region and surrounding communities.
However, despite the completion of major construction works, the project has faced operational delays linked to incomplete activities and unresolved safeguard requirements.
According to the World Bank, the project officially closed on December 16, 2025, after a six-month extension was granted to allow the Government additional time to complete critical outstanding activities.
The Bank disclosed that at the time of project closure, several important components remained unfinished, including the installation of some medical equipment and the implementation of specific health and safety measures required under the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework for healthcare facilities.
The statement also highlighted funding complications that contributed to the delays. According to the Bank, the extension became necessary partly because the Government had not released certain International Development Association (IDA) spending needed to complete key project activities during the implementation period.
While some undisbursed IDA funds remain available for eligible outstanding obligations until June 16, 2025, the World Bank stressed that the Government itself is responsible for financing any remaining environmental and social safeguard obligations, as well as expenditures deemed ineligible for IDA financing.
In practical terms, this means the responsibility for moving the hospital from a completed infrastructure project to a fully functioning healthcare facility now rests heavily on the Government. The World Bank noted that fully operationalizing the hospital will require authorities to complete all outstanding technical and safety requirements while also assigning healthcare personnel and administrative staff to the facility.
For many residents in rapidly growing communities around Weija and Kasoa, the hospital represents more than just a building. It is viewed as a potentially critical intervention that could reduce pressure on overcrowded pediatric units in major hospitals while improving access to specialized child healthcare closer to home.
“The World Bank remains engaged to encourage the Government to operationalize and open the facility,” the statement noted.
The development now places attention squarely on how quickly government authorities can mobilize the financial, technical, and human resources required to finally bring the long-awaited pediatric hospital into active service.
