EOCO picks up Weija Children's Hospital contractor over delayed handover

The contractor responsible for the Weija Children’s Hospital has reportedly been picked up by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following a meeting with the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, over delays in the operationalisation of the facility.

According to a report by Citi Newsroom on Friday, July 10, 2026, the contractor was invited to a meeting with the Health Minister to discuss the completion and handover of the 120-bed specialist hospital, which has remained unused despite being structurally completed for more than two years.

During the meeting, the government reportedly urged the contractor to hand over the facility to enable it to begin providing much-needed specialised paediatric healthcare services to the public.

“However, the contractor is said to have declined the request, insisting that he would not release the hospital until the outstanding balance under the contract had been fully paid or the government provided firm assurances on when the remaining payment would be made,” the report indicated.

The contractor reportedly maintained that handing over the facility without resolving the outstanding financial obligations was not an option.

“Following the meeting, EOCO officials reportedly picked up the contractor and transported him to the agency’s headquarters,” the report said.

The circumstances surrounding the action remain unclear, as EOCO has not issued an official statement on the development.

The Ministry of Health has also not publicly commented on the reported arrest.

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The Weija Children’s Hospital has become a subject of public concern after remaining non-operational despite the completion of its physical infrastructure more than two years ago.

Located in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality, the 120-bed specialist hospital was built to improve access to paediatric healthcare and reduce pressure on major referral centres, including the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital.

The facility is expected to provide specialised healthcare services for newborns, children, and adolescents, with modern wards, operating theatres, intensive care units, and outpatient services.

Despite the completion of the main infrastructure, the hospital has not been commissioned due to unresolved contractual and administrative issues, including disputes over outstanding payments and the completion of ancillary works.

The prolonged delay has drawn criticism from health stakeholders and residents, who argue that the facility is urgently needed to ease pressure on existing healthcare institutions and improve access to specialised child healthcare services.

MRA/MA

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