I Did Nothing Wrong – Frimpong Boateng

Former Honorary Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC), Korle-Bu, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng says he did nothing wrong to warrant the termination of his appointment by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

The renowned surgeon says he will be very pleased if the Ministry of Health or government comes out to explain the reason behind the decision to do away with his service.

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng was sacked as per a letter signed by the sector minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh on Thursday and copied to the President, Prof J.E.A. Mills, the Chief of Staff, John Henry Martey Newman and the Deputy Minister of Health, Rojo Mettle Nunoo. His dismissal takes immediate effect.

A copy of the letter terminating the appointment of the renowned surgeon and sighted by peacefmonline.com reads; “In view of your transfer from the Ministry Of Health (MOH) to University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) your appointment as honorary director in charge of the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) has been terminated with immediate effect. We take this opportunity to thank you for your service rendered to the NCTC and wish you well”.

Confirming the termination of his appointment in an interview with Peace FM News, Prof Frimpong-Boateng said he is not bothered or devastated by the news, stressing that “as a neurosurgeon, I have a big heart for everything besides; one always have to be prepared because anything can happen at any time”.

“I received the letter of termination around 1pm yesterday (Thursday), August 25 and it stated with immediate effect so by 2pm, I had packed out of my office. I can’t explain why I have been sacked but I’m sure if you are able to reach the sector Minister, he will perhaps explain the reason. Personally, I will be pleased to know what I did wrong because there is nothing indicating that I have done something wrong,” he said.

The one-time Presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) however added that he has accepted the decision in good faith and bears no grudge against anybody.

“I’m not hurt and I don’t bear any resentment. It is true I was instrumental in setting up the centre in Ghana and I even invested some money into it initially, but I am happy that by the Grace of God we have been able to build such a facility which is a training center for all doctors in West Africa. I am happy and grateful that we have reached this level,” he noted.

The National Cardiothoracic Center (NCTC), according to reports is still Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s most prominent department. From its humble beginnings in 1989 with just a small number of staff, the Center has burgeoned into over a 100 personnel-staff, with some well-trained and highly skilled heart surgeons.

The Center has built a solid reputation across the West African sub-region as a leader in complicated heart procedures, thus drawing several specialists to it on regular basis.

Seen as the main power behind the Center’s operation for over two decades now, Prof. K. Frimpong, under his stewardship, is credited with having introduced the Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) innovation. The service allows surgeons to perform certain cardiothoracic procedures without cutting the chest open.

Asked if he wished the Cardiothoracic Center was named after him, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng emphatically said, “No, even though I was instrumental in structuring it, the Center is the property of Ghana and it is the Ministry of Health that sees to its day-to-day administration”.