Awerco Construction Limited, the firm behind the Weija-Gbawe Children’s Hospital project, has issued a legal threat against the Ministry of Health over claims it says have tarnished the company’s image and unfairly linked it to delays in opening the facility.

In a letter dated May 8, 2026, lawyers for the construction company demanded the immediate withdrawal of portions of a recent ministry statement, arguing that the publication contained false and damaging allegations.

The dispute follows a Ministry of Health statement released on May 5, titled “Operationalisation of the Weija Paediatric Hospital,” which reportedly cited concerns over procurement processes, including allegations that some medical equipment had been overpriced by as much as 11 times their actual value.

Awerco strongly denied the accusations, describing them as baseless and unsupported by evidence.

According to the company’s legal representatives, the ministry’s statement wrongly created the impression that Awerco was responsible for the delay in commissioning the hospital.

The company further stated that concerns allegedly raised by the World Bank were never formally communicated to it and maintained that it had fully carried out its contractual responsibilities on the project.

Awerco also revealed that it had written several times to the ministry over the past year requesting payment of outstanding debts but claims those requests received no response.

The contractor additionally rejected suggestions that it had obstructed efforts to commission the hospital.

It clarified that its correspondence with the ministry only highlighted concerns relating to proper handover procedures and the installation of protective systems such as Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units and Automatic Voltage Regulators to protect sensitive medical equipment.

According to the company, operating the hospital without these systems could damage equipment and negatively affect service delivery.

Awerco also argued that delays in the release of funds had disrupted mandatory training for end users of the equipment, a process it says is necessary before the facility can be officially handed over.

The company warned that inadequate training could pose safety risks and affect the proper use of critical medical devices.

It further questioned why the ministry would push to operationalise the hospital if it genuinely believed procurement costs had been excessively inflated.

The contractor is demanding a retraction within 24 hours and says it is prepared to pursue legal action if the ministry fails to comply.