[ 2014-07-22 ]

New Health Minister reappoints dismissed Korle Bu CEO
New Health Minister, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, has
suspended an earlier decision by his predecessor,
Ms Sherry Ayttey to dismiss Rev. Albert Okpoti
Botchwey as CEO of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

According Dr Agyemang-Mensah, after being made
Minister, “wisdom” demanded that he takes
“some time to study the situation [that led to
Rev Okpoti Botchwey’s removal] before making any
far-reaching decisions”.

These were contained in a letter addressed to the
Board Chairman of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,
Eddy Annan, dated Jul y 21, 2014.

Earlier this month, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Board was directed by Ms Sherry Ayittey to revert
Rev Okpoti Botchwey to his former position as a
board member of the hospital.

Ms Ayittey was removed as Health Minister in a
recent ministerial reshuffle by President John
Mahama.

She had asked the Korle Bu Board to appoint acting
Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Samuel
Asiamah, as the acting Chief Executive, pending
the appointment of a substantive person to occupy
the vacant CEO position.

Ms Sherry Ayittey had asked the Board to ensure
that Rev Albert Okpoti Botchwey hands over all
property of the hospital in his possession, and
provide comprehensive handing over notes to the
board chair and copy same to her [Ms Ayittey] and
the incoming acting Chief Executive, Dr Samuel
Asiamah.

Rev Okpoti Botchwey was made acting Chief
Executive after the post became vacant following
the compulsory retirement of Prof. Adwo Jectey
Hesse, then acting CEO.

Mr Okpoti Botchwey's sacking by Ms Ayittey
followed accusation by senior staff association of
the hospital that the board and management of the
hospital were spending more than GhȻ1 million
on luxury vehicles.

They petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to
intervene and dissolve the board chaired by Mr
Eddie Annan.

Among other issues, they also asked Rev Botchwey
to return an Audi A6 to the dealers and a forensic
audit conducted into the use of funds by him.

Rev Albert Okpoti Botchwey vehemently denied the
allegations.

Below is the new Health Minister's letter
overturning the decision to remove the acting
Korle Bu CEO, copied to the Executive Secretary to
President John Mahama, Cheif Director at the
Ministry of Health and the Auditor-General:

KORLE-BU TEACHING HOSPITAL

Having been sworn in as Minister of Health this
morning, I have taken notice of certain pertinent
problems at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital that
need to be addressed.

Wisdom demands that I take some time to study the
situation before making any far- reaching
decisions. I would therefore be most obliged if
you would suspend the implementation of the
Ministry of Health's letter dated July 7, 2014,
with reference no. MOH/OM/14.

Furthermore, it is important that in administering
the hospital, the principles of accountability and
transparency are adhered to. You are, therefore,
to take the necessary steps to urgently conclude
the forensic audit of the Pharmacy Department.

May I take this opportunity to thank you and the
Acting Chief Administrator for initiating this
needful process of accountability, and to assure
you that I will not relent in pursuing the truth
in all aspects of Korle-Bu's administration.

Signed

Hon. Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Minister of Health

Source - MyjoyOnline

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