Korle Bu Board Chair Denies Claims of Ministerial Bed Donation

The Board Chair of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Titus Beyuo, has firmly denied claims that beds were donated to the facility by the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, following a viral video that sparked public concern about patient care.

The video, which circulated widely on social media earlier this month, allegedly showed patients lying on the floor in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre due to a shortage of beds. The footage quickly went viral, prompting criticism and calls for immediate intervention by the Ministry of Health.

Contrary to widespread reports suggesting that the minister had donated about 200 beds in response to the video, Prof. Beyuo clarified that the beds had been procured and installed by the hospital prior to the minister’s visit. He emphasized that the procurement process had been ongoing since the current board took office, reflecting long-term efforts to improve hospital infrastructure rather than a reactive gesture to public pressure.

“That is misreporting. At the time the Minister arrived, these beds were in and installed. So, it’s not as though the minister came and subsequently donated the beds. Korle Bu has done this procurement over time, since this board came into being,” Prof. Beyuo explained during an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s

The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Yakubu Seidu Adam, also refuted claims that the video reflected the current state of the emergency wards. He reiterated that patients were seated on chairs while awaiting admission, and no patients were being treated on the floor.

Hospital management stressed that viral videos, while attention-grabbing, may not always provide an accurate representation of conditions in large medical facilities where high patient traffic and emergency cases can create temporary overcrowding.

The clarification comes as part of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s broader communication strategy to maintain public trust and transparency, especially in light of increasing scrutiny of healthcare facilities across Ghana. Prof. Beyuo highlighted that while social media serves as a tool for public engagement, it can sometimes amplify misperceptions, underscoring the need for verified reporting.

The hospital has over the past decade undertaken significant modernization efforts, including expanding its bed capacity, upgrading emergency facilities, and improving patient management systems. According to hospital officials, these measures aim to ensure that critical care services meet international standards while accommodating the growing patient population in Accra and beyond.

By addressing the misreporting, the hospital seeks to reassure the public that it remains committed to providing quality care, ensuring that patients are treated with dignity, and proactively managing emergency ward capacity.