Pantang Hospital Staff have taken a strong stance against the Hospital Director, Dr. Frank Baning and the Controller And Accountant General Department. They are planning and very determined to drag them to court of competent jurisdiction due to unauthorized, illegal rent deductions made on their February 2025 salary without recourse to due process.
The staffs at Pantang Hospital have taken a significant step by engaging lawyers and seeking legal action. Following initial consultations, their counsel has drafted a demand notice, which has been sent to key individuals, including Dr. Frank Baning, the hospital director, and the Controller and Accountant General Department. The Minister for Health and the Chief Executive Officer for Mental Health Authority have also been copied on this demand notice, ensuring that all relevant parties are informed and accountable.
The staffs at Pantang Psychiatric Hospital have endured a nightmare and torture under Dr. Frank Baning's leadership. For eight long years, they have suffered through his arrogant and autocratic rule, marked by brutal mismanagement and staggering corruption allegations. To make matters worse, Dr. Baning has allegedly leveraged his high-level connections in the NPP government to further his corrupt agenda, claiming he is above the law and intimidating anyone who dares to challenge him. The staff's experiences are a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked power and corruption.
Dr. Baning's actions have had a devastating impact on the hospital, leading to a mass exodus of staff. Hundreds have left, with some relocating abroad, others taking transfers to different facilities, and many more resigning altogether. The working environment he has created is highly toxic, marked by mismanagement and corruption, making it unbearable for staff to continue working there.
The remaining staffs at the hospital are struggling to cope with the immense pressure of working in a severely understaffed, highly toxic and corrupt environment. Despite their efforts, they are consumed by despair and uncertainty.
With the change in government, they had hoped for swift action to address the hospital's dire situation, specifically the removal of Dr. Baning and the appointment of a new director to steer the hospital back from the brink of collapse.
However, the hospital staff's optimism is dwindling as they feel ignored by the government and appointing authorities. Despite their persistent efforts through petitions, protests, and reports, their pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears. They are still calling out for rescue, seeking intervention from the Mental Health Authority, the Minister for Health, the MP for Madina, and the Chief of Staff, but their cries for salvation from Dr. Baning's corrupt leadership continue to be met with inaction.
The hospital staff's situation is dire, and they are taking a bold step by dragging the hospital director and the Controller and Accountant General Department (CAGD) to court. The illegal deduction of their February 2025 salaries, with some staff losing up to 50% of their pay, is a clear violation of their employment rights
They are of the view that, the inactions of the government and the appointing authority to remove Dr. Baning from office and thoroughly conduct a forensic audit on his tenure of office has again given him the boldness and ordercity to engaged in yet another scandalous activity of unauthorized rent deductions of staff of the hospital.
In other jurisdictions like the UK, employees are protected by law from unauthorized deductions from their wages. The Employment Rights Act 1996 states that employers can only make deductions from wages if they're required by law or if the employee has agreed to them in writing ¹.
(Read More Pantang Hospital Staff Agitate For The Removal of Dr. Frank Baning)
The staff's decision to take legal action is likely a last resort, given the significant impact of the deductions on their livelihoods. By seeking redress through the courts, they hope to recover their lost wages and hold the hospital director and CAGD accountable for their actions.
It is worth noting that employees who believe they have suffered unlawful deductions can bring a claim to an employment tribunal within three months of the deduction. The tribunal can order the employer to repay the deducted amount and potentially award compensation for any additional losses suffered.
THE DEMAND NOTICE
The demand notice cited, dealt with the illegal rent deductions of staff without their concent and not following due process.
The demand that demand the hospital director and controller and accountant general development take immediate action to:
1. Stop the unauthorized rent deductions
2. Refund the deducted amounts to all affected staff without further delay.
3. Disclosure of the unapproved bank account and it's signatories
4. Stop all plans of other deductions, example sanitation levy
Failure for the hospital director and controller and accountant general department to comply with the demand notice will result in the court actions.
CONCLUSION
Dr. Frank Baning, the director of Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, has been accused of various mismanagement and corrupt activities. Here are some of the allegations:
Manipulation of Heads of Departments*: Dr. Baning allegedly manipulates department heads to favor those he can control, using them to achieve his own interests. This has led to a high turnover rate, with the Accounts Department having eight different heads in eight years.
Victimization of Staff: Staff members who refuse to be compromised or are perceived as a hindrance to Dr. Baning's activities are unfairly victimized. This includes false accusations, intimidation, and undue punishment for minor mistakes.
Procurement Breaches*: Dr. Baning is accused of inflating prices of drugs and charges, selling basic consumables like examination gloves and syringes, and manipulating donation items and sponsorship contracts.
Manipulation of Union Heads Dr. Baning allegedly corny with certain group of staff that holds almost all strategic position in the hospital and that of union heads to serve his own interests, rather than representing the needs of the staff.
These allegations suggest a culture of corruption and intimidation at Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, with Dr. Baning at the center. The hospital's reputation as a leading mental health institution in Ghana is at risk due to these alleged mismanagement and corrupt activities.
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