The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has issued a 3-day ultimatum to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to reinstate the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
This is contained in a press release dated June 6 and jointly signed by Drs Ernest Yorke and Richard Selormey, President and General Secretary respectively.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) having taken notice of a letter signed by the Minister of Health, dated 5th June, 2026, directing the Board of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to suspend the Chief Executive Officer, has deliberated on the directive and related matters in an emergency meeting held on Saturday, June 6, 2026,” a portion of the press read.
It said, “Council therefore is of the considered view that the initial query issued and subsequent directive for suspension were without basis and ought not to have been occasioned. We therefore call for an immediate withdrawal of the directive to the Board of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to suspend the Chief Executive Officer and for his immediate reinstatement within the next 3 working days.”
The Association contended that, “The actions taken by the Management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was the right and proper professional and administrative decision in line with best practice in patient safety and responsible healthcare leadership across the world.
The actions taken, did not turn away patients to their fate or flout the President’s directive but rather redirected patients and ensured they received safe and timely care at nearby hospitals with support from specialists from KATH.”
The GMA explained that, “The decision with the coordinated efforts of the Regional Health Directorate, Regional Coordinating Council, health facilities and hard-working health workers in the region led to a significant decongestion of the Accident & Emergency Centre and a resumption of new admissions to the KATH Emergency within 24 hours.
The National Executive Council expressed its support “and stands by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association decision to stand down Services until the suspension is withdrawn and necessary measures are put in place to improve emergency capacity in the Kumasi enclave.”
The GMA condemned Mr Akandoh’s leadership style.
“The Ghana Medical Association also expresses our utmost displeasure at the actions of the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, that have directly or indirectly sought to incite the public against health workers with its associated increasing general demotivation of health professionals and incidents of violence against health workers,” the statement stressed.
The Association called on the Minister “to cease these hostile and confrontational actions and engage constructively to ensure improved morale and the continued support of health workers towards achieving objectives of the sector.”
They warned that, “If such acts continue, the Association and its members will have no choice but to take remedial actions to ensure the sector does not degenerate into chaos.”
The GMA urged its members to remain calm as the Council explores effective ways of achieving resolution of the issues.
“Council will be monitoring and will reconvene to decide on our next actions and communicate accordingly,” the statement indicated.
