KATH CEO Formally Introduced to Otumfuo
During a courtesy call, the Board of Directors of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) presented the Chief Executive Officer, Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah, to Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
He replaced Dr Oheneba Owusu Danso who retired in 2022.
The Chairman of the Board, Ambassador Nana Effah-Apenteng led the delegation to introduce him to the King at the Manhyia Palace on May 31, 2023- six months after his appointment.
Other members of the Board included Prof Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, Pharm Charles Dontoh, Professor Daniel Ansong and Mr Kwame Frimpong.
“Otchere Addai Mensah is the new Komfo Anokye CEO. We have now gotten the opportunity to introduce him to you. He is not new here, He used to be the Vice Dean of Students at KNUST,” Ambassador Nana Effah-Apenteng told Otumfuo.
In his address, Prof Addai-Mensah outlined some of the achievements he has chalked in the past six months.
“One of the things I realised was a gap between the management and the staff so I decided to work at that. The gap has closed now. Secondly, I realised the doctors’ block there needed renovation so I took a cue from the Board to get a sponsor to paint the block which was built in 1955…we are now looking forward for other sponsors to paint the nurses’ block.
“I also realised that patients aren’t able to foot their bills through mobile Money or Point of Service Device but since March, we have instituted that measure. The punctuality and regularity of health personnel were also a problem. Upon my assumption, I consulted the Board and decided that two directors will be on duty during weekends and holidays and make sure health personnel abide by the reporting time and work as expected of them.”
He continued, “Our services begin at 8 am but some workers used to report around 10 am so I consulted the Board to change that. Now the reporting time is working.
“…One of my agenda was discipline. The Board earlier told me the only way I will be successful is to ensure discipline among the staff. Two doctors extorted money from patients; one was handed a month suspension without salary. From tomorrow onwards, the other is going on suspension without salary too.”
On their challenges, he talked of the encroachment on the hospital’s 17-acre land bought for expansion at Pakyi No 1 and difficulties in securing military land agreed to given to the hospital for expansion; the halt in the construction of their maternity block and the Sickle Cell Centre.
On his part, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II encouraged the CEO to keep up with the good work in bravery.
“Always remember that you are working with humans and so no matter what, there will be contention but carry out your duty in truth and bravery else you will find difficulties…No decision favours everyone. If a decision will be in the interest of the majority and against few, uphold it unless it is the other way round.”
He continued, “Uphold working ethics and apply sanctions when necessary. I’ve heard you are on the right path.”
On the contention over the military land, he said he would reach out to the President for a resolution.
“The soldiers cannot demand money from KATH in exchange. They have been given another land. I reached out to the President and he assured me he will tell the Minister of Interior, Mr Nitiwul to relocate them. I will inform the President about this. I won’t allow them to scare you with soldiers. We will resolve this with honesty.”
