Hundreds of residents in the Weija/Gbawe enclave on Tuesday staged a protest over the continued closure of a completed 120-bed children’s hospital, accusing the government of neglecting a vital healthcare facility.
The demonstrators directed their frustrations at the administration of John Dramani Mahama, questioning why the hospital—reportedly initiated under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo—remains uncommissioned despite claims that it is fully equipped with modern medical facilities.
Clad in red and black and wielding placards, the visibly agitated protesters marched through parts of the municipality, chanting slogans and demanding immediate action. The protest drew over a thousand participants and brought traffic in sections of Weija and Gbawe to a standstill.
Residents say the situation is particularly troubling given the mounting pressure on existing health facilities in the area. According to them, the delay in operationalising the hospital is worsening access to healthcare, especially for children.
“Why should we allow a fully completed and equipped facility to lie waste and rot while our children suffer?” one protester asked.
Another resident expressed concern over the potential human cost of the delay, alleging that the lack of adequate hospital beds is contributing to preventable deaths.
“People are being turned away because there are no beds, and some die in the process. So why should this one rot simply because the government refuses to commission it?” the resident said.
Organisers of the demonstration indicated that they plan to present a formal petition to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), calling for the immediate commissioning and full operation of the facility.
The hospital project, widely referred to as the Weija Children’s Hospital, has become a focal point of public debate in recent months, with critics raising concerns about delays in bringing completed public infrastructure into use.