Alarm blows as U/W health Director is re-assigned to Accra over financial misappropriation

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A Health Director in the Upper West Region, Dr. Osei Kuffour Afreh, has been re-posted to the Ghana Health Service headquarters in Accra.

The development comes as the region battles Meningitis and Coronavirus cases.

The Ghana Health Service, however, said in a memo that his services is needed at the national level as the country continues to fight the Coronavirus pandemic.

In a memo signed by the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Parick Kuma-Aboagye, Dr Afreh is expected in Accra Monday, May 11, 2020.

“Based on the exigencies of our operations and in line with your expertise, this is to kindly re-assign you to the Ghana Health Service Headquarters to support our ongoing response actions aimed at containing and preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The re-assignment is with effect from Monday, May 11, 2020.”

Dr. Afreh has been instructed to hand over to one of his deputies pending the commencement of the reassignment.

“Thus, kindly endeavour to hand over properly and in time to the Deputy Director (Public Health) so as to be able to report to this office on the stated date for assignment instructions,” the memo said.

Nurses demand investigations

It appears Dr Afreh’s exit has been characterised by emerging controversies.

The Upper West Regional branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association for instance, is demanding an immediate probe into the tenure of the Director over alleged financial misappropriation among others.

“This call is important because, his further dragging of the process would worsen the situation as he may not be able to focus on giving instructions to his subordinates as we are beginning to see in some places. It is extremely dangerous to leave gaps at this time given the delicate nature of the health system in the region. Members of the GRNMA constitute up to 70% of the total workforce in the health sector, therefore, when the sector gets bad, our members bear the brunt the most”, the group said.

They have also threatened to “wear red bands to work as a first step to drum home this crucial call… if steps are not initiated for the audit by Monday, April 27, 2020.”

Also, the association called on the GHS and government to conduct urgent forensic investigations into the following:

1. All financial handlings within his reign as Regional Director, especially in his last week in office.

2. The recent quota/financial clearance for the recruitment of staff into the service in the region.

3. All the over 40 CSM deaths in the region.

4. All donations received through the Health Directorate in respect of the fight against COVID19 and CSM in the Upper West Region.

By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH | Email: joevica18@gmail.com