Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, has called on Kwabena Mintah Akandoh to fast-track the commissioning of the Weija Paediatric Hospital so it can begin full operations and serve the public.
Speaking at a press conference held at the hospital on Saturday, 28 March, the MP expressed concern about the delay in opening the facility, despite it being nearly completed. He stressed that the hospital is a modern, well-equipped healthcare centre that is ready to provide specialised medical care for children.
According to him, the project was initiated under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and was almost completed before the end of that government. He described the hospital as a world-class, state-of-the-art facility that should not remain unused while children in need of urgent medical care are referred elsewhere.
He revealed that he had earlier been informed by officials from the Ministry of Health that the hospital was expected to be commissioned around 17 March. However, that timeline has not been met, and the facility is still not operational.
The MP highlighted the challenges this delay is causing, noting that children requiring specialised care are currently being referred to Princess Marie Louise Hospital, which puts additional pressure on existing healthcare facilities.
The Weija Paediatric Hospital, located in the Greater Accra Region, is a 120-bed specialised facility designed to become the largest children’s hospital in Ghana. It is funded by the World Bank and equipped with advanced medical infrastructure, including neonatal and paediatric intensive care units, a 100-bed ward, emergency services, and a mother’s hostel to support families.
The project was carried out under the Ministry of Health and constructed by Awerco Construction Ltd as part of efforts to improve access to quality paediatric healthcare in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality and nearby communities.
Once completed and operational, the hospital is expected to serve as a major referral centre for children’s healthcare in the region. It will help reduce congestion at other hospitals and improve healthcare outcomes for children who require specialised treatment.
The MP is therefore urging the Health Ministry to take immediate action to ensure the hospital is commissioned as soon as possible so residents in the area can begin to benefit from the facility.
