The board members of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) are investigating the withdrawal of GH¢300,000 from its account, under unclear circumstances, as reported by The Chronicle newspaper.
According to the report, this total amount was withdrawn in three separate transactions at the Adum branch of Fidelity Bank. The board members of KATH are actively examining this concerning issue, along with other related matters.
The report additionally stated that an official document in their possession indicated that the first transaction occurred on July 4, 2023.
In the first transaction, an amount of GH¢100,000 was withdrawn from the hospital’s account, bearing details such as PV No. 035789 and drawn on Cheque No. 220588, in the name of the deputy director of the budget, yet cashed by an individual named Seth Adjei Appiah.
The stated purpose for this transaction was “being funds for preparation, compilation of documents for critical engagement with NHIA (National Health Insurance Authority).”
On the same day, another transaction involving GH¢80,000 was reported, again under the name of the deputy director of the budget, and withdrawn by Seth Adjei Appiah. The description for this withdrawal was “Being funds for preparation, compilation of documents.”
Lastly, a transaction amounting to GH¢120,000 took place on August 14, 2023, also issued by the deputy director of the budget, with the description, “Being funds released to arrange and facilitate a meeting with key leadership of health in Accra,” the report stated.
It is crucial to note that none of these withdrawals were authorized by the hospital’s board, according to The Chronicle.
The source in the newspaper conveyed, “KATH, like any other institution, has its budget line for its social and corporate responsibilities expenditures annually, and it is applied as approved by the Board and Parliament. These illicit withdrawals are even unknown to the Board.”
Moreover, the report clarified that some of the expenditures, allegedly part of the hospital’s social responsibility activities, were disclosed as sponsorship of sporting events, media courtesies, and other expenses that could not be officially documented as such.
Lastly, the report highlighted that neither the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Accra nor Kumasi was involved in any stakeholder meetings during the mentioned period, according to both the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) head office and its regional office in Kumasi.
In response to this situation, the board members of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital are convening a critical meeting to thoroughly investigate this matter.