The World Bank has declared as misprocurement a US$3.8 million contract awarded to Awerco Construction Limited for the supply and installation of additional medical equipment at the Weija Paediatric Clinic.
Following the ongoing brouhaha surrounding the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital project, a letter addressed to Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister for Finance, by the World Bank has surfaced online.
The World Bank said its Procurement Post Review (PPR) identified deviations from the Bank’s Procurement Regulations in both the procurement process and the implementation of the reviewed contracts.
The PPR report found that the procurement of items supplied under the contract was non-compliant and that the prices paid were not “reasonable” when compared with existing market rates.
The World Bank letter noted that prices charged for most key items under the contract ranged from three to eleven times higher than market prices.
“The PPR report determined that the procurement of items supplied under this contract was non-compliant with Paragraph 6.10(a) of the World Bank Procurement Regulations, which require the Recipient to ensure that prices are reasonable and consistent with the market rate for items of a similar nature.
“The PPR found that, for most key items under this contract, prices charged reached three to eleven times the market rate,” the letter read.
“…The World Bank hereby declares misprocurement of goods in the amount of $3.8 million based on the value of Contract No. GH-COVID-19-442477-GO-DIR, rendering the contract ineligible for financing out of the proceeds of Credit No. IDA 7125-GH.
“The value of the contract, $3.8 million, will also be cancelled and made unavailable for other uses.”
Meanwhile, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, a former Health Minister, has told the Ministry of Health that there was no misprocurement at Weija Children’s Hospital.
The former Health Minister challenged the Ministry of Health to provide evidence to support claims of alleged procurement irregularities surrounding the Weija Paediatric Hospital project.
Bernard Okoe Boye argued that government officials cannot continue making allegations. without presenting documentary proof.
He further questioned what he described as contradictions in the Ministry’s communication, adding that claims of procurement irregularities appear inconsistent with suggestions that the hospital could still be commissioned within a few weeks.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Thursday, May 7, Dr Okoe Boye questioned, “Someone tells you there’s misprocurement, and at the same time, they are telling you in three weeks they are going to commission. Don’t you see the contradiction?”
His comments follow the Ministry of Health finally breaking its silence following angry residents of Weija-Gbawe who stormed the Children’s Specialist Hospital over the continued closure of the fully furnished facility.
According to the Health Ministry, the closure is due to delays in procurement irregularities, funding disputes, and unresolved contractual issues, despite the facility being physically completed.
They disclosed that the World Bank raised concerns about misprocurement, which included inflated costs of medical equipment.
In a press statement issued on May 5, the Ministry acknowledged the protest, however, attributing the delay to serious procurement breaches.
The statement revealed, “The World Bank raised concerns about misprocurement, which included inflated costs of medical equipment up to about 11 times the actual price”.
“As a result, the World Bank declined to settle all the outstanding payments.”
The Ministry disclosed that while it was “prepared to commission the facility for use,” the contractor refused access:
“The contractor subsequently halted this process, insisting that all outstanding issues be fully resolved before granting access to the hospital.”
“The Ministry wishes to assure the people of Ghana that it is actively engaging all stakeholders to resolve the matter in the best interest of the public.”
“The Ministry acknowledges the critical importance of the hospital… particularly in providing specialised care for children.”
“The Ministry therefore appeals to the people of Weija… to exercise patience while steps are taken to operationalise the hospital.”
See the post below:
This is the World Bank Letter on Weija Gbawe Children Hospital
— The_AwisiDede (@AwisiDede) May 8, 2026
The bank’s Procurement post review report reveals most key items under the contract with AWERCO construction limited prices charged reached 3 to 11 times the market value. pic.twitter.com/D4W3M1eYF7
The World Bank has declared as misprocurement a US$3.8 million contract awarded to Awerco Construction Limited for the supply and installation of additional medical equipment at the Weija Paediatric Clinic.#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/BGSs0ZiDUW
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 8, 2026