Dr. Oheneba Owusu-Danso
THE MANAGEMENT of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, has vehemently debunked allegations that management has misappropriated funds that was raised to fight Covid-19.
The hospital has also stated emphatically that it has so far not been served with any document, indicating that the hospital had been dragged to the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), regarding the alleged misuse of Covid-19 funds.
In this regard, the hospital has assured especially those that donated cash to help fight the deadly Covid-19, that the monies were used for their intended purposes, stressing that the hospital would at the appropriate time seek redress over the attack on its integrity.
Last Tuesday, a staff of the hospital, identified as Awuni Akyireba said CHRAJ over allegations of financial impropriety.
Awuni Akyireba alleged that the KATH chieftain has used funds raised by the hospital to fight the deadly Covid-19 pandemic to buy luxurious cars, at a time KATH is faced with numerous challenges.
Awuni Akyireba, who claimed to be a Certified Chartered Forensic Accountant and a member of staff of KATH for eleven years, has also dragged the KATH Medical Director, Prof. Baafuor Kofi Opoku, to CHRAJ over similar accusations.
KATH Head of Public Affairs, Kwame Frimpong, said in a statement yesterday that “Management wishes to assure all stakeholders, especially its cherished collaborators and partners who made those important donations, that it has all the relevant records and evidence to validate its claims on the judicious use of the donations.”
He said that the hospital is in the “position and very well prepared to make these (relevant records) available at the appropriate time and forum as part of the processes for seeking redress for the unjustified attack on its integrity”.
“Management wishes to state, it is yet to be served with any document and notice of process related to the aforementioned issue and it is, therefore, not formally privy to the circulations in the media. Management is, consequently not in a position to speak to the specific issues raised in it.”
Kwame Frimpong maintained that the disbursements of the Covid-19 cash were made for the intended purpose of supporting clinical care “as communicated through various publications including the official mouthpiece of the hospital, KATH Newsletter.”
He said further that “management wishes to assure the general public and especially the media that it has nothing to hide on the issue as all relevant details have been published previously,” indicating that management shall remain as transparent as always.
The KATH Head of Public Affairs, stated that “management, therefore, once again denies in the strongest of terms, any allegations of the misapplication of the stated Covid-19 special funds for the procurement of two cars or any other unintended purposes.”
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi