The Ranking Member on Parliament's Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, was refused entry into the Department of Surgery at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after he paid a surprise visit on Monday, September 2, leading to a scuffle between him and the authorities present.

Upon arriving at the surgical department, Akandoh was confronted by some doctors in the department.

A senior surgeon at the department, Dr Adu Aryee questioned the MP's identity and authority to conduct the visit without informing them. "I don't know you.

Who are you?

Do you have any letter introducing you?

I have never met you in my life.

I don't know you.

Do I know?," Dr Aryee asked.

The ranking member attempted to explain to the authorities that his visit was to inspect the facility and verify reports that the hospital had suspended emergency surgeries in the surgical department due to a malfunctioning elevator. "I am a member of parliament.

it has come to my attention that the lift at the surgical block is not working so I have come to see it for myself," he stated.

Following the altercation, Akandoh addressed the media, expressing frustration over the encounter.

He criticised the department head's conduct, insisting that his visit was in the public interest and that he did not require prior permission to carry out his duties as a legislator "He doesn't know what he's about and what he's doing.

We are here to work in the interest of the country so I do not need anybody's permission to pay a surprise visit, and so for me, we can ignore whatever he has said or whatever he has done so that that will not dilute the substance of the matter.

What is important is that Ghanaians want to hear and they want to see that the lift at Korle Bu has been fixed and they can come here for their elective surgeries.

Meanwhile, the Joaboso MP has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Health Ministry and the sector minister to provide a timeline for the elevator's repair. "We cannot accept that reason and so within the next 24 hours, they must tell us when they are fixing the lift at Korle Bu.

It is not rocket science to fix a faulty lift.

It's not rocket science at all and so we need somebody to come and speak to us and not only to speak or to address the country but to tell us when exactly these lifts will be fixed.

We cannot accept indefinite suspension of elective surgeries as a country.