A coordinated effort to discredit and remove Rev Dr Ralph Armah, the Medical Director of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), has been uncovered.

The campaign appears to be in response to his aggressive push to expose and dismantle entrenched corruption within the facility.

Appointed in April 2024, Dr Armah has faced intense pressure and sustained attacks from individuals both within and outside the hospital, believed to be orchestrating a smear campaign aimed at forcing him out of office.

Sources within the Ministry of Health confirm that the backlash stems from Dr Armah’s uncompromising reforms focused on enforcing accountability, instilling financial discipline, and ending the extortion of patients.

“They’re trying to get him out because he’s disrupting their corrupt practices,” a senior ministry official stated.

Under Dr Armah’s leadership, several key interventions have been implemented. These include halting the redirection of patients to a private pharmacy charging exorbitant fees—reportedly up to $7,000—and enforcing the use of hospital-prescribed medications.

He has also cracked down on staff misconduct, revised the hospital’s transport policy, suspended questionable allowances, and introduced stringent financial controls that have significantly improved the hospital’s fiscal health.

Concerns have also been raised about the use of private pharmacy prescription pads for Ridge Hospital patients—an issue Dr. Armah is actively investigating.

An internal report reviewed by this outlet outlines several irregularities, including:

Revenue losses from waived surgical fees

Unpaid hospital bills despite implant payments

Unauthorized procurement of implants

Discrepancies between private pharmacy prescriptions and issued receipts

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is reportedly investigating some of these practices, with multiple individuals currently under scrutiny.

Additionally, claims linking Dr. Armah to a controversial contract with Safe Africa Security Services Ltd. have been debunked, as he was not in office at the time the contract was signed.

Despite the smear campaign, Dr Armah’s reforms have led to a remarkable financial turnaround at Ridge Hospital.

From a net current asset deficit of over GHS 16 million in April 2024, the hospital posted a positive net current asset of GHS 992,051.32 by December 31, 2024.

Description April 10, 2024 December 31, 2024
Cash (614,432.34) 4,868,775.56
Inventory 5,695,413.78 8,015,700.11
Receivables 14,971,375.12 16,165,359.59
Liabilities 36,171,803.09 28,057,783.94
Net Current Asset (16,119,446.53) 992,051.32
The hospital also recorded an operational surplus of GHS 6 million by the end of 2024.

Quarterly Revenue Growth
Quarter Revenue (GHS)
Q1 21,044,779.45
Q2 21,618,634.36
Q3 22,329,024.72
Q4 23,302,437.98

Cost-Saving and Staff-Oriented Measures

Among Dr Armah’s key initiatives were both cost-cutting measures and staff welfare improvements:

Salary Adjustment for Non-Mechanized Staff: In June 2024, long-neglected staff received overdue salary increases to help cope with the rising cost of living and boost morale.

Fuel & Vehicle Monitoring: Switching from fuel coupons to electronic monitoring significantly reduced misuse, keeping expenditures stable despite rising national fuel prices.

Vehicle Maintenance: The introduction of scheduled movement, preventive maintenance, and regular assessments led to a sharp decline in repair costs, especially in the second half of the year.

Water Supply Reform: A new internal water system eliminated reliance on external water tankers, reducing expenditure from over GHS 884,000 in Q1 to zero in Q4.

Staff Welfare Enhancement: Spending in this area increased as the hospital provided health support and end-of-year appreciation packages, further enhancing staff well-being and productivity.

Despite ongoing challenges and targeted opposition, Dr. Armah's leadership has ushered in a new era of transparency, accountability, and efficiency at Ridge Hospital. However, his bold reforms continue to pose a threat to powerful interests deeply invested in the status quo.