Health Minister cautions Boards against interfering in day-to-day management

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has cautioned Boards of health institutions against interfering in the day-to-day administration of their institutions, stressing the need for a clear separation between governance and management.

Speaking on the second day of the Ministry of Health’s High-Level Mid-Year Review Retreat in Ho, Mr Akandoh said Board members must focus on their governance responsibilities and allow management to handle the daily operations of their respective institutions.

“The day-to-day running of the institution is not the responsibility of the Board or Board members,” he said.

The Minister made the remarks during a training session on corporate governance and the roles and responsibilities of Boards and management within Ghana’s health institutions.

He explained that a clear understanding of the distinct responsibilities of Boards and Chief Executive Officers was crucial to preventing unnecessary interference and ensuring effective administration.

Mr Akandoh also stressed the importance of strong corporate governance in safeguarding public resources and ensuring that investments in the health sector ultimately translated into improved healthcare outcomes.

He said he was committed to ensuring that health agencies were supported with appropriate legislative instruments to strengthen governance and establish clearer frameworks for the administration of their institutions.

The Minister further urged health institutions to exercise greater prudence in the use of public funds, particularly expenditure on seminars, training programmes and official travel.

He said spending decisions must reflect the country’s limited resources and be guided by value for money, accountability and efficiency.

Mr Akandoh said the governance training was designed to help participants better understand their respective roles, minimise institutional infractions and make decisions that promote effective management.

He encouraged Board members and managers to take the training seriously and use the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of their responsibilities.

The Ministry of Health said the retreat forms part of broader efforts to strengthen governance, accountability and management across Ghana’s health sector.