Concerns are mounting over suspected procurement irregularities related to the high-profile surgical separation of conjoined (Siamese) twins conducted at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
Calls are intensifying for a full-scale forensic audit into how public donations and state-provided resources were used in the medical operation, which garnered national and international attention.
Sources close to the development have revealed that contrary to popular belief, the funds mobilized for the surgery were not directly handed over to the Ridge Hospital administration.
Instead, the monies were reportedly used to procure medical equipment and consumables needed for the complex procedure.
However, significant questions have now been raised over the transparency and integrity of the procurement process.
Suspected Breaches and Missing Documentation
According to insiders, a number of critical issues have emerged, including:
• Procurement breaches: Allegations suggest that some equipment and consumables may have been procured without adherence to due procurement processes, as required by the Public Procurement Act.
• Overpricing concerns: There are suspicions that certain medical items were purchased at inflated market prices, with inadequate documentation to justify costs.
• Lack of transparency: Key payment vouchers, supplier receipts, and budgetary breakdowns for the operation have allegedly not been made available to the public or relevant oversight bodies.
• Documentation gaps: Several procurement records, including contracts and inspection reports on equipment functionality, are either missing or inconsistent, further fueling suspicion.
These developments have led to calls from civil society, health sector stakeholders, and transparency advocates for the involvement of state investigative bodies, including the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Internal Audit Agency.
Clinical Team and Former Minister Under Scrutiny
Questions are also being raised about the level of awareness and involvement of the clinical team that performed the surgery.
It remains unclear whether the team was privy to the procurement arrangements, the exact nature of the equipment provided, or the source of funding.
Additionally, former Health Ministry officials, particularly the then-Minister of Health, are under public pressure to clarify their role in the transaction.
Did the Ministry oversee the procurement process directly?
Were they aware of the suppliers selected and the prices at which items were procured?
Public Donations and Private Sector Involvement
The surgical operation attracted nationwide donations, with companies, individuals, and philanthropists contributing funds and materials. However, there is limited public accounting for:
• The total amount raised through donations.
• Companies awarded contracts to supply equipment.
• The exact prices of these supplies compared to market rates.
• The current location, usage, and condition of the equipment post-surgery.
This lack of transparency is raising ethical and legal concerns about the stewardship of public goodwill and the sanctity of medical procurement processes.
Outcome of Surgery and Call for Transparency
While the surgical separation of the Siamese twins has been described as clinically successful, public interest has shifted toward the governance surrounding the operation.
Transparency advocates argue that the public deserves to know not only the medical outcome but also the fiscal and administrative integrity that supported the surgery.
Calls for immediate action include:
• A forensic audit into all procurement-related activities tied to the surgery.
• A comprehensive publication of payment vouchers, supplier lists, receipts, and market price comparisons.
• A joint investigative team from EOCO, CHRAJ, the Internal Audit Agency, and the OSP to probe suspected breaches.
• Full disclosure from the Ministry of Health and Ridge Hospital on the financial and administrative details of the operation.
As the clamor for accountability grows, there is growing consensus that this case, originally hailed as a triumph of Ghanaian medical ingenuity, must also become a landmark for transparency and the prudent use of public resources.
