Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has defended his decision to suspend the Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo, insisting that the action did not require approval from Parliament.
The issue was raised in Parliament by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who questioned why lawmakers were not informed before the decision was taken.
Afenyo-Markin argued that Parliament should be properly briefed on major developments within the health sector instead of learning about them through media reports.
“We hear interviews in the media without recourse to the House. We see letters by the Minister taking action against some chief executives,” he said.
The Minority Leader also reminded Akandoh of his previous role as Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, noting that he had once championed accountability from government officials.
“What he did then was good for democracy; I agree. But now that our colleague has risen to that high office, and especially when he is a Member of this House, our expectation is that he utilises the platform of Parliament for us to understand what is happening in his sector,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
Responding to the concerns, Akandoh explained that his actions were guided by a policy directive from President John Dramani Mahama requiring all public health facilities to provide emergency care and not turn away patients.
“The president issued a policy direction in the health sector that no facilities should turn away emergency cases,” Akandoh said.
He further stressed that no individual or institution has the authority to shut down any part of a public health facility without approval from the state.
“Let me put on record that nobody, absolutely nobody in this country, has the right to close any portion of a public health facility without the consent of the state, in this case, the minister,” he stated.
The Health Minister also cited provisions within the law governing teaching hospitals, arguing that ministerial directives take precedence over decisions made by hospital boards.
“Section 36 clearly establishes that whatever the Minister says or directs, the board shall apply the same,” he explained.
According to Akandoh, the suspension followed concerns surrounding the closure of KATH’s Accident and Emergency Unit, which he said contradicted government policy.
“The man admitted and apologised before other officers and me,” he revealed.
He added that the two-week suspension was intended to serve as a deterrent while investigations continue.
“To send a clear signal, punitive actions are meant to serve as a deterrent. We then proceeded to direct the Board to allow the said CEO to sit aside for two weeks and then investigate the PRO,” he said.
Akandoh dismissed suggestions that parliamentary approval was necessary before taking the action.
“Mr Speaker, is it a decision I needed the approval of the House to do so?” he questioned.
