Tension At GHS

Information reaching DAILY GUIDE indicates that there is an uneasy calm at the Ghana Health Service (GHS) following the attempt to short-circuit the legally prescribed processes needed for the appointments of directors to key positions.

Under normal circumstances, vacancies in the public sector at the top levels are filled by the Public Service Commission (PSC) after the interview of shortlisted applicants.

The PSC would issue a recommendation that would be sent to the sector Minister, who would secure a presidential approval before the Director General or head of that particular public service is given the green light to enlist the successful applicant.

In the case of the Ghana Health Service, the Minster of Health, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, through an express consent from the Presidency, is responsible for the endorsement of the PSC recommendation before it is forwarded to the Director General of the GHS, Dr. Frank Nyonator, for implementation.

However, DAILY GUIDE information indicates that the appointment of a certain acting Director of Finance did not go through the laid-down processes.

After the interview of the person with the PSC, the recommendation was not presented to the Minister and was forwarded straight to the Director General.

Disgruntled staff members of the GHS said several other appointments to key positions at the Service breached prescribed process.

It is believed that the positions of the Directors of Finance, Institutional Care, Research and the Director of Health Administration Support Services (HASS) needed to be properly scrutinised to ascertain their validity.

In response to a questionnaire sent to Dr. Nyonator on the alleged breaches of due processes in the appointment of directors at the GHS, he said, “Appointment letters have been issued from the PSC to the successful candidates.

The PSC could be contacted to clarify your concerns regarding the intelligence screening and presidential approval, which directly fall within their ambit.”

Information made available to DAILY GUIDE indicated that no proper background screening was done on selected candidates for the top positions at the health service.

Dr. Nyonator explained, “The interview process was opened to all who think they qualified to occupy such a position.

Further, information regarding the background screening of applicants and the interview process could be obtained from the Public Services Commission (PSC) which coordinated the interview and selection of suitable candidates.”

However, the lack of proper screening might have ill-prepared the GHS to tackle the tendency that caused the Service to lose millions of cedis under the supervision of these officials.

The untraceable funds include money meant for the payment of contractors who supplied health equipment to the GHS.

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the Audit Service and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) have all stepped in to investigate the possible misuse of funds by the top officials of the GHS.

The findings from the investigations are yet to be released, “Reports are yet to be received from the two organizations. However, the GHS is pursuing the refund from the Bank of Ghana.

It is envisaged that EOCO and BNI would assist in resolving this issue when they complete their investigations,” Dr. Nyonator said.