Hot!
Koforidua Hospital loses revenue: 201 patients fail to pay GH¢168,405 medical bills
• Dr Akoto-Ampaw speaking at the meeting
Two hundred and one patients treated at the Eastern Regional Hospital at Koforidua, vanished into thin air without paying their medical bills totalling GH¢168,405
Narrating the sad story to The Spectator at Koforidua, Dr. Arko Akoto-Ampaw, the Medical Director, revealed that a total of GH¢103,476 was lost in 2022 because 77 patients failed to pay the hospital fees after they had been treated.
He claimed that in 2021, 58 patients failed to pay their bills, amounting to GH¢39,356, while in 2020, the hospital lost GH¢25,573 because 66 patients defaulted.
He was worried about the trend and said that the continuous loss of such huge sums of money annually was a drain on the hospital’s coffers.
Dr. Akoto-Ampaw, who spoke to The Spectator during the hospital’s 2022 Annual Review Meeting with the press, advised patients who owed the hospital to approach the Social Welfare Department to negotiate payment plans in case they were unable to pay their medical bills but not to sneak out of the facility.
The review meeting was held to make public the hospital’s activities undertaken during the year under review, and to explain their achievements and challenges, as well as the way forward.
The Medical Director explained that “sometimes we want to give a
human face to some of these situations, and because we are a government hospital, we do not want to take money before we serve the patients.
“Human life is important, and so we first take care of the patients and then demand the money later; that should not warrant some patients running away.”
He said, “this place is not a prison, and so you cannot also prevent people from walking about and taking fresh air, and that is how they disappear. They take their things out one after the other, and then they vanish.”
Dr. Akoto-Ampaw said the hospital had put in measures that would ensure that patients were tracked and made to pay after treatment or sign undertakings before they were allowed to leave the hospital.
He said that some patients classified as “paupers”, that is, those for whom the hospital was certain they genuinely could not afford to pay for the services rendered them, also caused a loss of GH¢3,183 in 2022, GH¢9,096 in 2021, and GH¢9,561 in 2020.
He disclosed that out of a total amount of GH¢166,760 owed to the hospital by patients who signed undertakings to pay later, GH¢34,136 had been redeemed.
He said the hospital had rehabilitated some facilities, including washrooms for the mother’s hostels, a CT scan ward, a pre-operating room at the main theatre, and the construction of an autopsy unit.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
The Ashanti South Regional Police Intelligence Directorate has arrested two suspects in connection with a robbery attack on an Indian national in Obuasi and a separately planned robbery operation targeting a distribution company in the same area.
On April 16, 2026, Police received credible intelligence that a group of armed men were planning an attack in Obuasi. A police team moved swiftly into the area and arrested suspect Iddrisu Fuseini, also known as “Iddi”, at his hideout in Bedieso, Obuasi.
During interrogation, he confessed to being part of a six-member gang that attacked an Indian national at his residence at New Baakoyeden, Obuasi, on April 12 2026, robbing him of GH₵150,000.00.
He disclosed that the attack was orchestrated following a tip-off from suspect Ibrahim, an employee of the victim, who informed the gang that the victim kept large sums of money.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect, Shaibu Mohammed, also known as “SM” or “Cicinati”, on 20th April 2026 at his hideout in Gausu, Obuasi. During interrogation, he admitted to participating in the planning of the robbery and confirmed that the gang had further planned to rob a distribution company near Mawuli Hotel in Obuasi.
Investigations have further revealed that both suspects are currently standing trial at the Obuasi Circuit Court in connection with a separate robbery of GH₵600,000.00.
A manhunt is ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices, identified as Khalifa, Edward, Prof, Waddle, Ebbe, and Ibrahim, and to recover a pump action gun and a locally manufactured pistol believed to be in their possession.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Entertainment1 week agoDeals, Crowds, and Big Wins: Dulcie Boateng’s Porials Pitch 2026 Returns This Weekend
- News2 days ago
Okudzeto Ablakwa engages South African International Relations Minister over Xenophobic attacks
- Entertainment1 week ago
Guinness Ghana Introduces GH¢100,000 Prize for TGMA Album of the Year Winner
