Ghana's Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed the immediate deployment of 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to the Weija Children's Specialist Hospital. The hospital, which recently began inpatient care, is Ghana's first stand-alone children's referral hospital. With a 120-bed capacity, the facility aims to take pressure off general hospitals in the Greater Accra region that currently handle paediatric referrals alongside adult patients. The deployment comes as the hospital expands beyond outpatient and emergency care.
The directive was given after Akandoh personally inspected the hospital, which he described as now operational. The hospital is currently handling outpatient and emergency cases and is in the process of scaling up to full inpatient services. Akandoh emphasized that the facility is a referral centre and the first of its kind as a stand-alone children's referral centre. The additional health workers will help beef up the health workforce at the hospital.
The hospital's path to this point has not been smooth. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) announced on July 16, 2026, that the facility would finally open following a handover agreement between the Ministry of Health and Averco Construction Limited. However, investigations into alleged procurement breaches and financial impropriety tied to the project continued. Akandoh acknowledged that outstanding issues between the government and the contractor were still being resolved.
Despite the challenges, Akandoh stressed that the priority was to put the facility to use for Ghanaians who had waited for it. He said most of the equipment needed for the hospital's expanded services had now been installed, which allowed management to broaden the range of care on offer. The hospital's management and staff were urged to maintain the facility properly and to treat patients with dignity and respect.
The Ministry of Health will continue monitoring the hospital closely given its significance. Officials are working to resolve remaining disputes with the contractor. Beyond the staffing directive, no specific timeline has been given for when the facility will reach full capacity or when EOCO's investigation into the procurement process will conclude.
As Ghana's first dedicated children's referral hospital, Weija is meant to shorten waiting times and improve specialised care for young patients referred from across the region. A fully staffed, 120-bed facility focused solely on children's health could significantly impact the region's healthcare delivery. The Ministry has not detailed how quickly the new 40 staff will be absorbed into daily operations.
The Health Minister's directive is expected to enhance the hospital's capacity to provide quality healthcare to children. The hospital's operations will be closely monitored to ensure its goals are met. The Ministry's efforts to address the hospital's challenges and ensure its smooth operation are ongoing.
Key points
- Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh orders deployment of 40 additional health workers to Weija Children's Specialist Hospital
- The hospital aims to take pressure off general hospitals in the Greater Accra region that currently handle paediatric referrals alongside adult patients
- The Ministry of Health will continue monitoring the hospital closely given its significance
