The rehabilitation of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has stalled for the past three months, in a raging conflict between the hospital’s CEO and the HEAL KATH project committee.
The project was initiated by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to refurbish dilapidated traditional wards of the over 70-year-old facility serving as a referral centre for 12 regions of the country.
In March this year, the Asantehene inspected the first phase of the project, with an anticipated completion of the second phase in the subsequent months.
But this may be far-fetched as there seems to be a rift between the project committee and the new leadership of the hospital.
Recounting an incident he regarded as ‘disrespectful’, Chairperson of the Heal KATH Project Committee, Samuel Adu Boakye, alleged the new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. (Med) Paa Kwesi Baidoo, maintained an indifferent and forceful posture towards him and the committee in requesting reports on the progress of the project.
It follows recommendations by the Asantehene for the committee to hold discussions with the new leadership of the hospital to collaborate assiduously to expedite the project’s completion.
“Two days before Asantehene’s suggestion, I had received a call within the first week of the CEO’s appointment that he needs a report on the project and therefore, we need to bring these reports. So, I told the person that the board members of the committee are no ordinary people. If anything at all, he [CEO] should write officially, then we pay a courtesy call on him and then brief him. So, we know our next steps,” Mr. Adu Boakye told David Akuetteh on Luv FM.
The Chairperson says he subsequently received a call from the new CEO insisting that he submit the reports.
But, according to him, the project is not under the direct purview of the hospital’s management and would only require that the CEO writes to the committee for official deliberations.
However, Mr. Adu Boakye alleges the CEO hung up the call on him.
“Two days after, I got a call from the new CEO [angrily] asking why I haven’t made the report available to him. And I explained to him the Heal KATH project is not one under the hospital. We set it up in a way that, in the event that there was a change of government, the work could go on without any disruptions. And we made it clear-which Otumfuo is aware of.
“Unfortunately, I got lambasted and the CEO hung up on me,” he noted.
Subsequently, Mr. Adu Boakye revealed he received a letter detailing that he submits audited accounts, bank statements, bank balances, members of the committee, debtors and other essentials to the hospital.
The committee, under the authority of the Hiahene, Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Owoahene II, replied the letter asking the CEO to exercise restraint and not create a seeming friction between the committee and the new KATH leadership.
“We have received periodic reports from the committee and we are in the process of organizing a comprehensive update for his Majesty to review prior to forwarding any report to the presidency. We know how dearly this project to the Asantehene and equally to the presidency, I would advise that you exercise patience as we complete the report for his Majesty to approve before submitting to the presidency,” Mr. Adu Boakye read from the letter.
The letter continued that: “I have also asked the Chairman to convene a meeting of HeKAP advisory board early next week which would include you for preliminary review of the report. While I understand your eagerness to know more about the Heal KATH and the progress we have made, let us not create any friction or misunderstanding between new and old leadership”.
Progress of Heal KATH
The Heal KATH project was originally planned to be completed in two years of its commencement, but had to be extended following economic fluctuations and reduced inflows of financial aid from the public.
During the Asantehene’s inspection in March 2025, over four million of the targeted 10 million dollars has been raised in six months for the project’s execution.
The project which commenced in November 2023 has since seen the first phase 95% completed.
The first phase, comprising two floors of Block A, has been fully renovated and furnished, with only the installation of an oxygen bedhead remaining for full operation.
Architect and Consultant for the project, Kojo Darko-Asante says the committee is ready to provide an audited account on the progress of the project thus far.
“We have nothing to hide. I have never been paid a penny. We are doing this because of Otumfuo. We, as board members of the project, have occasioned a full audit report into what we’ve done so far. We will account for every cedi,” he noted.
The Health Komfo Anokye project is one of the monumental projects being undertaken to mark the 25 years of the Asantehene’s exemplary leadership as occupant of the Golden Stool.
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