Weija Children's Hospital contractor detained after payment dispute with Ghana government

The contractor responsible for the long-delayed Weija Children's Hospital has reportedly been detained by Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following a meeting with the Minister of Health over the stalled handover of the facility.

The reported detention comes after a meeting on Friday between the contractor and Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during which the government sought to secure the handover of the 120-bed specialist children's hospital so it could begin operations.

According to sources familiar with the meeting, the contractor refused to hand over the completed facility, insisting that the government first settle outstanding payments or provide a firm timetable for clearing the remaining contract balance.

Shortly afterwards, officials from EOCO reportedly took the contractor into custody. Neither EOCO nor the Ministry of Health has publicly confirmed the detention or explained the circumstances surrounding it.

The Weija Children's Hospital, located in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality, has remained closed for more than two years despite the completion of its main infrastructure.

The specialist facility was built to expand access to paediatric healthcare and reduce pressure on major referral hospitals, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital.

The prolonged delay has been blamed on contractual disagreements, including disputes over unpaid contract sums and the completion of ancillary works.

Former deputy minister criticises reported arrest

Meanwhile a former Deputy Health Minister Alexander Akwasi Acquah has criticised the reported detention, arguing that negotiations not law enforcement offer the best chance of resolving the impasse.

Speaking to local media, Mr Acquah said the contractor had consistently maintained that the hospital could not be handed over until outstanding payments were addressed.

He warned that detaining the contractor could complicate efforts to bring the project into operation.

"If you invite a contractor to a meeting to resolve an impasse and the person is subsequently arrested, I do not think that is the right way to solve the problem," he said.

Pressure to open completed hospital

The hospital has become a symbol of delays affecting public infrastructure projects in Ghana, with health professionals and residents repeatedly calling for it to be opened to improve access to specialist healthcare for children.

The government has prioritised opening completed but unused health facilities amid growing demand for healthcare services. However, the latest developments highlight the challenges posed by unresolved contractual disputes and delayed payments on public projects.

Neither the Ministry of Health nor EOCO had issued an official statement on the reported detention at the time of publication.