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New KATH CEO unveils strategies to restore facility image as centre of excellence
At the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the heartbeat of Ashanti Region’s healthcare, the machines meant to save lives are either wheezing, silent or missing altogether.
CT scans sit idle. MRI machines have gone mute. The fluoroscopy unit, oxygen plants, and central sterilisation systems—once the backbone of critical care—are now shadows of their former selves.
And in some cases, like the Catheterisation Laboratory and Mammogram unit, there is not even a shadow to speak of. They simply do not exist.
It was against this sobering backdrop that Dr (Med) Paa Kwesi Baidoo, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, addressed staff and stakeholders at KATH’s 2025 Mid-Year Performance Review Conference—his first since assuming office in May.
The event, held as part of the hospital’s 70th anniversary celebrations, was a call to arms.
“I am deeply honoured by the warm welcome,” Dr Baidoo began, “but I am equally sobered by the scale of the challenge before us.”
With conviction, he laid bare the operational deficits of the facility and unveiled a comprehensive strategy to restore KATH’s stature as a true centre of excellence where innovation is nurtured, stakeholder support is visible and valued, and patient care is not just clinical but compassionate and transformative.
To this end, his administration is actively engaging institutions such as the Ministry of Health (MoH), GNPC, Ghana Gas, NHIA, and the Bank of Ghana.
These efforts are already bearing fruit. The NHIA, he announced, has begun procurement of a long-awaited CATHLAB, a critical step toward expanding cardiac care in the region.
Internally, reforms are underway. Outdated policies are being reviewed. New guidelines on Pharmacy Residency Training, Opioid Use, and the hospital’s Disciplinary Code are being drafted plus a Comprehensive Patient Care and Duty Rota Policy aimed at improving staff conduct and service delivery.
Despite the infrastructure gaps, KATH has recorded notable gains in the first half of 2025. Specialist OPD attendance rose five per cent above target. The Oral Health Directorate exceeded its goal by 21 per cent. Radiology output increased by 10 per cent, with other radiological services surging by 95 per cent.
Surgeries rose seven per cent above target, inpatient deaths dropped by 13 per cent, and physiotherapy services improved by 10 percent. Emergency attendance also saw a six per cent uptick.
But the picture is not all rosy as emergency admissions, laboratory services, deliveries, primary care, and radiotherapy all saw declines—underscoring the need for urgent recalibration. But Dr Baidoo remains undeterred.
“The task ahead is arduous, but it is not insurmountable”, he admitted, and pledged to lead with humility, urgency, and resolve—anchored by a vision of excellence and a belief in the power of collective effort.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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