Health Minister fires Korle-bu boss

The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Board has been directed by the Ministry of Health to revert the acting Chief Executive, Rev Albert Okpoti Botwe to his position as a board member.

Subsequently, the board has been asked to appoint the 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 position.

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

A letter signed by the outgoing Minister of Health, Ms Sherry Ayittey asked the Korle Bu board to ensure that Rev Albert Botwe hands over all property of Korle Bu in his possession, and provide comprehensive handing over notes to the board chair and copy same to the Minister of Health and the incoming acting Chief Executive, Dr Samuel  Asiamah.

By a copy of the letter, the Auditor General was required to audit the period of tenure under Rev Albert Okpoti Botwe.

The letter written by the Ministry of Health explained that it arrived at the decision after a review of the performance of Rev Botwe over the past one year pursuant to section 2, Act 525, that talks about the limitations on functions of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital board.

According to the ministry, the functions of the teaching hospital board under Act 525, was subject to such policy directives the Minister may determine.

It also made reference to section 17 of Act 525 where it states that the Minister may issue directives in writing to the council or board on matters of policy and that the council or board shall comply with such directives.

The senior staff association of the hospital recently accused the board and management of the hospital of spending more than Gh?1 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 Botwe to return an Audi A6 to the dealers and a forensic audit conducted into the use of funds by him.

Rev Albert Okpoti Botwe denied the allegations of misuse of funds by the board and management of the hospital.