The Weija-Gbawe Children's Specialist Hospital has commenced operations and is now receiving referred patients. This development is expected to expand access to specialised paediatric care and ease pressure on existing referral hospitals. The hospital, which has 120 beds, will provide specialised care for newborns, children, and adolescents.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh announced the operationalisation of the facility during an unannounced working visit on Friday, October 2, 2026. The visit came barely a month after the contractor handed over the facility to the government. During the visit, major medical equipment and machines were found ready for use, with some services already being provided.
The hospital was constructed and equipped under the World Bank-funded COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project. The project commenced in 2023 with the aim of strengthening Ghana's capacity to respond to public health emergencies while expanding critical healthcare infrastructure.
The Medical Director of the facility, Dr Nana Okai Brako, stated that the hospital is gradually expanding its services, with outpatient care already underway. The hospital will operate in three phases, with the first phase involving the provision of outpatient services.
To strengthen the hospital's human resource capacity, the Health Minister has directed the immediate deployment of 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to support service delivery. This move aims to ensure that the facility is adequately staffed to provide quality healthcare services to patients.
The hospital's opening had been delayed by unresolved contractual and administrative challenges, including concerns raised by the World Bank over procurement, outstanding payments, and the completion of ancillary works. The delays had raised concerns among residents and other stakeholders, who called for the hospital to be opened to help meet the growing demand for specialised paediatric services.
The Health Minister also assured that the issues between the government and the contractor are being resolved, and the focus is on putting the facility to good use for the citizens. With the hospital now operational, it is expected to help address the gap in specialised paediatric care in Ghana and provide relief to families seeking medical care for their children.
Key points
- The Weija-Gbawe Children's Specialist Hospital has commenced operations and is now receiving referred patients.
- The hospital was constructed and equipped under the World Bank-funded COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project.
- The facility will provide specialised care for newborns, children, and adolescents, easing pressure on existing referral hospitals.
