Yeile Chireh goofed in sacking Frimpong Boateng - NPP man

Emmanuel Kwabena Agyarko, NPP Parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wugon

The Parliamentary candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Ayawaso West Wugon constituency of Greater Accra, Emmanuel Kwabena Agyarko says Health Minister, Joseph Yeile Chireh goofed in terminating the appointment of Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng as the honorary director of the National Cardiothoracic Center.

Mr. Agyarko argued that the honorary position conferred on Prof. Frimpong Boateng was in recognition of his immense contribution to the Cardiothoracic Centre hence very needless for the Health Minister to have revoked it.

Professor Frimpong Boateng was on Thursday August 4, 2011 relieved of his post with immediate effect as honorary director of the National Cardiothoracic Center as per a letter signed by Health Minister Joseph Yiele Chireh.

His dismissal was met with protestations from the general public with the NPP citing political vindictiveness on the part of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) being at play.

Surgeons and Nurses as the Cardiothoracic Centre embarked on an indefinite strike action in solidarity with their ousted boss until he is reinstated.

But President Mills has given the heart surgeon a month to hand over properly and also urged the doctors and nurses and the Cardio Centre to rescind their decision and return to work.

However, on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen Programme Tuesday, Mr. Kwabena Agyarko could not fathom who the government wants Prof Frimpong Boateng to hand over to since there is a substantive director at the centre.

The former boss of Food and Drugs Board noted that Yeile Chireh should have done a background check on how things are done administratively at Korle Bu before taking any decision.

Mr. Kwabena Agyarko noted that the reasons being given by government that Prof. Frimpong Boateng has passed a mandatory retirement age has been flawed since they are also 'caught in the same web'.

The NPP Parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wugon observed that, it would not out of place if the Mills-led administration had named Cardio Centre after Prof. Frimpong Boateng in appreciation to commitment and service instead of being sacked.

He wondered whether Health Minister, Yeile Chireh acted in his own capacity or sought presidential approval.

Mr. Kwabena Agyarko urged President Mills to be on top of issues since too many of his appointees are creating a lot of problems for him.

Story by Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana