The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, to refund GH¢113,000 (approximately $9,300) to the state after the hospital failed to recover funds linked to two negligence-related judgment debts.
The committee’s order, issued during a hearing on Monday, stems from separate incidents in which hospital staff errors led to compensation payouts. One case involved the death of a patient due to a medication overdose, while the other concerned the mistaken release of the wrong body, which was later exhumed and reburied.
During questioning by Ranking Member Samuel Atta-Mills, Dr. Adam acknowledged that the hospital had yet to recoup the funds from the staff members deemed responsible. “We haven’t done that,” he said, before attempting to provide an explanation, which was cut short by committee members.
“You have 90 days to pay this GH¢113,000,” Mr. Atta-Mills stated firmly, reiterating the committee’s position that either the responsible officers or the hospital’s CEO must be held financially accountable.
The PAC’s directive highlights Ghana’s ongoing efforts to tighten financial oversight within public institutions and address costly administrative failures. The amount is to be paid into the Auditor-General’s Recoveries Account at the Bank of Ghana.
As of publication, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has not issued a formal response to the directive.
