Attempts to tarnish the reputation of Rev. Dr. Ralph Armah, the Medical Director of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH), have reportedly backfired, with sources revealing a coordinated effort to undermine his leadership due to his efforts in combating corruption.
Insiders at the hospital and the Ministry of Health say that Dr. Armah, who assumed his position in July 2024, is being targeted by individuals whose corrupt practices have been disrupted. The campaign, aimed at removing him from office, is allegedly fueled by his moves to eliminate financial waste and illicit activities within the hospital.
“He’s put a stop to their corrupt dealings, and they’re not happy about it,” a Health Ministry source stated. Another source highlighted Dr. Armah’s intervention in ending the practice of staff members directing patients to a specific private pharmacy, where exorbitant fees, sometimes reaching $7,000, were charged.
An investigative report, reportedly in the hands of authorities, outlines alleged questionable practices by some surgeons at Ridge Hospital. These include revenue losses from waived surgical fees, unpaid hospital bills despite implant payments, unauthorized implant procurement, and discrepancies between prescriptions and receipts. The report also references EOCO investigations into implicated officials, some of whom are now said to hold influential positions within the Ghana Health Service and are allegedly spearheading the campaign against Dr. Armah.
Allegations linking Dr. Armah to a controversial contract with Safe Africa Security Services Ltd. have been dismissed, given his appointment date of June 2024. Sources emphasize his implementation of stringent financial controls, which have resulted in substantial cost savings for the hospital.
Since his appointment, Dr. Armah has reportedly implemented several reforms aimed at enhancing financial accountability, resulting in substantial savings for the hospital. Despite the attempts to discredit him, sources suggest his actions have garnered support from those who value transparency and ethical conduct within the healthcare system.
Financial Achievement
Before After
| Description | April 10, 2024 | Dec 31, 2024 |
| Cash | (614,432.34) | 4,868,775.56 |
| Inventory | 5,695,413.78 | 8,015,700.11 |
| Receivables | 14,971,375.12 | 16,165,359.59 |
| Liabilities | 36,171,803.09 | 28,057,783.94 |
| Net Current Asset | (16,119,446.53) | 992,051.32 |
| Details | 1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | 4th Qtr |
| Revenue | 21,044,779.45 | 21,618,634.36 | 22,329,024.72 | 23,302,437.98 |
| Monthly paid & casual labour | 853,167.16 | 1,281,504.73 | 1,140,253.34 | 1,056,622.99 |
| Staff Welfare Expenses | 33,426.75 | 49,111.98 | 242,386.08 | 1,220,204.00 |
| Water Tanker | 884,300.00 | 219,600.00 | 48,347.00 | – |
| Fuel & Lubricants – Official Vehicles | 206,944.53 | 147,200.00 | 179,128.20 | 186,440.00 |
| Maintenance & Repairs – Official Vehicles | 192,554.51 | 111,169.41 | 48,919.27 | 70,666.88 |
- Monthly Paid & Casual Labour
To mitigate the impact of the rising cost of living, I, together with the management team, approved a salary increase for Non-Mechanized Staff in June. These employees had not received any compensation adjustments for several years. This proactive decision was made to enhance staff welfare, boost motivation, and improve productivity—ensuring that our Non-Controller Staff remain committed and dedicated to their roles.
- Fuel & Lubricants – Official Vehicles
In spite of the persistent increase in the cost of fuel nationwide, my administration has managed to steadily reduce expenditure on fuel and lubricants. This has been achieved through stricter monitoring of vehicle usage, improved scheduling, and prioritization of essential trips. As reflected in the quarterly trend, the costs have been maintained within a sustainable range without compromising service delivery.
- Maintenance & Repairs – Official Vehicles
My administration has ensured that vehicle movement for official duties strictly follows approved schedules. Routine assessments and timely maintenance have also been institutionalized. These measures have led to a significant drop in repair costs, especially evident in the third and fourth quarters, where preventive maintenance has replaced costly breakdown repairs.
- Purchase of Water
Previously, the hospital relied heavily on external water supply services to address persistent water rationing, resulting in high and unsustainable expenses. Upon assumption of office, a comprehensive review was undertaken, and a long-term solution was implemented. This strategic move has eliminated the need for recurrent external water purchases, as seen by the absence of spending in the fourth quarter, thus ensuring uninterrupted access to water while reducing costs.
- Staff Welfare
Staff welfare remains a top priority for management. The increase in related expenditure is a direct result of our commitment to supporting employees’ well-being, including full support for health referrals to tertiary institutions and the provision of end-of-year appreciation packages. These initiatives aim to foster a healthy, motivated, and dedicated workforce.
