Richard Ohene Boakye has brought legal action in the High Court in Sunyani seeking orders from the court directed at the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Police Service and others for unlawfully arresting and detaining him for allegedly stealing money in the sum of GHC 122,963.76 from the government of Ghana.

In the writ brought for and on his behalf by the learned counsel Philomena Asantewaa Apraku of the Enso Nyame Ye Chamber, he narrates the ordeal of his unwarranted detention following accusations by his Medical Superintendent, Dr Emmanuel Agyei Darko that he had received an amount of GHC 115,483.07 which he did not work for, and how same accusations have jeopardized his career as a Senior Enrolled Nurse, and damaged his reputation, including losing his position as the leading contender for a chieftaincy title.

Background

The plaintiff used to work for the Ghana Health Service. He was stationed at Bomaa Polyclinic, currently Bomaa Government hospital in the Ahafo region after applying for a reposting from his former station, in order to pursue a bachelor of science degree at the Yamfo College of Health. He was granted study leave with pay in 2020 but same was abruptly cut short in 2022. He was then instructed to return back to his post as Senior Enrolled Nurse.

Struggling to find accommodation in the prior to resuming office, he asked that his name be taken from the Ghana of Ghana payroll until he officially resumes. This was followed by an immediate removal of his name from the payroll as requested. This plaintiff claims that the Medical Superintendent of the Bomaa Government Hospital also wrote to inform the Controller and Accountant General of the plaintiffs vacation from post. According to the plaintiff, he has not received any salary from the Government of Ghana from the time he vacated his post in January 2023 till date.

The accusation and arrest

The plaintiff, per his statement of claim states that he was written to by the new Medical Superintendent, Dr. Emmanuel Agyei Darko that the plaintiff has received an amount of which the plaintiff did not work for. The matter was reported to the Duayaw Nkwanta Divisional Police Headquarters, where the plaintiff was detained from Friday, June 7 to Saturday, June 8, 2024. The plaintiff states unequivocally in paragraph 22 of his writ that he received no such amount as alleged by Dr. Agyei Darko.

An unexpected twist

The plaintiff according his writ was told to report to the police station again for his court date since they had gained the Accountant General’s report concerning the allegation against him. Upon perusing the report however, he found out that the name on it was not his name but rather one Richard Ohene Djan, though his staff ID was attached to the said name.