Korle-Bu CEO & Associates Slapped with GHC 5,000 for Disrespecting Court Orders
The CEO of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, along with two other staff members, has been found guilty of contempt by the Accra High Court. They were charged with disobeying a court order regarding the recruitment of a Director of Finance.
The Health Accounting Staff Association of Ghana and the acting Director of Finance, Lucas Amewudah, filed a lawsuit against the respondents, accusing them of unlawful recruitment. Despite the pending interlocutory injunction, the respondents proceeded to appoint a new Director of Finance, replacing Amewudah, who was serving in an acting capacity.
In his ruling, Justice Frank Rockson Aboadwe stated that the respondents were in contempt of court and found them guilty. However, they were not given custodial punishment but were cautioned and discharged. They were also ordered to pay a fine of GHc5,000 to the applicants.
Justice Aboadwe justified the lenient decision by considering the need for continued collaboration in the healthcare sector. He emphasized the importance of working together for the well-being of the country’s healthcare system.
The applicants argued that the respondents had shown disrespect and disregard for the court by proceeding with the appointment while the injunction was in place. They presented evidence to support their claim, including an affidavit of service and backdated assumption of duty forms.
The respondents, on the other hand, claimed that the recruitment process had been completed before the injunction was issued. They stated that the Director of Finance had assumed office on March 1, 2023, and that they did not intend to disrespect the court.
The third respondent, Head of Human Resource Planning, apologized to the court for any perceived disrespect and requested forgiveness.
The respondents deemed the application brought against them to be in bad faith and urged the court to dismiss it. The court will now proceed with the case and determine the appropriate course of action.