By: Seth Opoku Agyemang- Sunyai
The Dabehene of the Nsoatre Traditional Council, Nana Henne Marfo, has raised serious concerns about what he describes as political interference crippling healthcare delivery at the Nsoatre Government Hospital.
Addressing a press conference, Nana Henne Marfo said the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Akwaboah’s directive to transfer the hospital’s experienced Medical Superintendent, Dr. Prince Yeboah Agyemang without providing a qualified replacement has left the facility in a near collapse state.
He explained that although transfers are normal in the public service, removing a competent and experienced doctor without a suitable replacement has created a dangerous vacuum in the hospital.
According to him, the situation has forced the facility to rely on a newly graduated doctor who lacks the experience to handle complex medical procedures and surgeries.
Nana Henne Marfo noted that the development has pushed Nsoatre back to a time when residents had to travel long distances to access quality healthcare, a situation that previously led to avoidable deaths.
He further alleged that the Minister’s decision was influenced by misinformation from individuals with political interests, following disciplinary action taken by the Medical Superintendent against a staff member accused of professional misconduct at the hospital.
The Dabehene stressed that instead of supporting professionalism and discipline, partisan considerations appear to have taken precedence, resulting in a decision that is now affecting the entire community.
He described the current state of the hospital as worrying, indicating that patient attendance has dropped significantly while referrals to other health facilities have increased sharply.
According to him, many residents have lost confidence in the hospital, which is now seen as a “white elephant” due to the absence of experienced medical personnel.
Nana Henne Marfo warned that the situation is life-threatening, suggesting that lives may already have been lost as a result of the disruptions in healthcare delivery.
He also expressed concern over the silence of the Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, Hon. Millicent Amankwah, noting that her lack of response to the crisis has deepened the frustration of the people.
The Dabehene revealed that several petitions have been sent to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Medical Association, and other relevant institutions, but no response has been received so far.
He indicated that the continued inaction from authorities is discouraging support from Nsoatre citizens in the diaspora, many of whom have contributed significantly to the development of the hospital and are now threatening to withdraw their support.
Nana Henne Marfo also recounted how traditional leaders invited the media to the hospital to witness the situation firsthand, describing what they saw as an eyesore , a facility lacking the expertise required to function effectively.
He emphasized that the people of Nsoatre are not interested in political disputes but are focused on saving lives and restoring quality healthcare in the community.
On behalf of the people, the Dabehene called on the Bono Regional Minister to cease interference in healthcare staffing decisions, especially when there are no clear plans to replace transferred personnel.
He also urged the Regional Director of Health to immediately post a qualified and experienced Medical Superintendent to the hospital.
Nana Henne Marfo maintained that the matter requires urgent attention, stressing that the lives of the people of Nsoatre remain at serious risk if immediate action is not taken.
Nana Gyamfi Kumanini, the Nsafoahene of Nsoatre, also issued a strong caution to persons in political authority, urging them to be mindful in the exercise of their power.
He warned that no position lasts forever, stressing that those who abuse their authority today will one day be held accountable for their actions. According to him, power is temporary, and when it slips away, the consequences of one’s decisions remain.
Responding to questions from the media, Nana Gyamfi Kumanini noted that everything under the sun has an expiry date, and leaders must act with that understanding. He cautioned that when the time comes for them to answer for their stewardship, they should not shift blame.
He also expressed disappointment in the Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, Hon. Millicent Amankwah, for what he described as her silence on the matter. He pointed out that it was the MP the people voted for to represent their interests, not the Regional Minister.
Nana Gyamfi Kumanini added that the people will be watching closely, reminding that when the time comes, the MP will return to seek their mandate again and will have to account for her stewardship.
Efforts by the media to get the Bono Regional Minister’s side of the story were unsuccessful, as he is currently out of the country, making it impossible to obtain his immediate response to the growing concerns raised by the Nsoatre Traditional Council and residents.
