The Weija Children’s Hospital is set to open to the public after the Ministry of Health and contractor Awerco Construction Limited reached an agreement to hand over the completed facility, following mediation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). In a statement issued on Thursday, EOCO said the agreement paves the way for the immediate transfer of the hospital to the Ministry of Health, allowing healthcare services to begin without further delay.
The anti-graft agency said the breakthrough followed a series of engagements it facilitated between the two parties, enabling the hospital to be operationalised for the benefit of the public.
According to EOCO, the decision was reached despite unresolved issues surrounding the project, including claims by the contractor over unpaid sums and concerns raised by the project’s financier about procurement processes and related matters.
It said the parties agreed that, in the public interest, the completed hospital should be handed over and put into use while the outstanding issues are addressed separately.
EOCO stressed that its ongoing investigations into allegations of procurement breaches, financial impropriety and other matters relating to the project remain unaffected by the agreement.
“The agreement to hand over and operationalise the hospital does not in any way affect or prejudice the investigations currently being conducted by EOCO,” the statement said.
The Office commended the Ministry of Health and Awerco Construction Limited for prioritising the national interest and cooperating to resolve the impasse.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public resources, promoting accountability and ensuring that public infrastructure projects deliver their intended benefits to Ghanaians.
Source: Edward Acquah
