PWD in Tango with Korle Bu

Workers of the Public Works Department (PWD) stationed at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) have threatened to adopt all means necessary to resist and protect plant and equipment and any valuable property belonging to the PWD and the government of Ghana, if the Hospital tries to forcibly eject them from its premises. They have therefore sent a note of protest to the Korle Bu District Police Commander, Supt. A.Y Amanfo to intervene urgently, in the event of any clash between them (PWD staff) and the authorities of the Hospital.

The Assistant Engineer for the unit told the Network Herald last Friday, that the hospital’s Chief Executive had warned them upon assuming office to vacate the premises of the Hospital and report to their “Mother Department” since Korle Bu is no longer interested their services. According to them, they considered the directive very strange and so refused to comply even though they appreciated the innovative stance of a newly appointed CEO. They explained however that the Department has been part and parcel of the Hospital since its inception 80 years ago and considered their operations there vital to the hospital.

Beside, they also saw his attempt to release them as unilateral since the management of the hospital has no control over their operations because the Department serves not only the Teaching Hospital but other places like Usher Clinic, Kaneshie Clinic, Mamprobi Polyclinic and Post Officer and contend that their removal from the Hospital could spell the unofficial doom for the areas. But the Cardio thoracic Surgeon, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng told the paper that his directive is to inject some discipline into Korle Bu to enhance productivity.

Speaking in the company of the Korle Bu District Police Commander, Supt. A.Y Amanfo, Inspector George Luri, the Chief Security Officer of the hospital, James Ernest Brenyah, the CEO told the paper that his action is not borne from hatred for workers but simply to “ensure value for Government’s money.” According to him since he took over the administration of the Hospital, he realized that for Korle Bu to become one of the best hospitals in the country, a lot of things had to change. These included workers’ discipline level and their respect for time among other things because these attitudes that completely appalling.

He claimed that after several deliberations, it became necessary for management to restructure in particular the Maintenance Department of the Hospital, with competent personnel who are adequately resourced and are directly accountable to the Hospital and not the current arrangement where the PWD personnel constantly give excuses for their ineptitude, a total lack of control and disregard for orders. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng who is also the President for the Ghana Heart Foundation and Head, Department of Surgery at the Ghana Medical School, said on 2nd September, he personally had a discussion with the workers on the matter and asked them to hand over all property of the Hospital to the Director of Administration Mr. Christ Nartey, by Monday 3rd November, but they refused to comply with the directive.

He stated that, due to the strategic role Korle Bu plays in country and the urgent need to overhaul the Hospital to meet the enormous pressure, with discipline and hardworking staff, the authorities decided to change locks to offices under their control because “the Hospital has had enough of their bluff.” “I not taking their daily bread, I just want them to go back to their Mother Department for the place to be put in shape.”

He debunked the claim that by the workers that he is running the Hospital on his own “whims and caprices” because even though the Hospital is autonomous, every decision he has taken as far restructuring the Maintenance Department of Hospital is concerned has been in consultation with Ministries of Health, and Works and Housing. “I’m not deterred in anyway by the threat, I have to do this because one day, their indiscipline and disregard for duty might affect you and your children.” Supt. Amanfo on his part told the Network Herald he received the workers letter but declined to disclose measures he is adopting to arrest any eventuality.