Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has defended the decision to suspend Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) CEO, adding that the action was to serve as a deterrent to other officials.
He made these remarks in response to a concern raised by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who cited the minister’s failure to seek Parliament’s approval for such action.
According to the Health Minister, the two-week suspension was due to the KATH CEO actions that contradicted a policy directive issued by President John Dramani Mahama regarding emergency healthcare delivery.
The Health Minister further disclosed that the KATH CEO, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo, has admitted and apologised that he was wrong.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated, “His Excellency the President issued a policy direction in the health sector that no facility should turn away emergency cases, and His Excellency added that even if the life of the person must be saved on the ground, we should do so”.
“Nobody, absolutely nobody in this country has the right to close any portion of a public facility without the consent of the state, in this case the minister,” he stated.
“The man admitted and apologised before me and other officers,” he disclosed.
“To send a clear signal, and punitive actions are meant to serve as deterrents, we proceeded to direct the board to allow the said CEO to step aside for two weeks and then investigate the issue,” he explained.
“Is it a decision for which I needed the approval of the House? Is it an administrative directive?” he asked.
The Health Minister further cited Section 36 of the law establishing teaching hospitals, the minister maintained that boards of teaching hospitals are required to implement directives issued by the minister.
“The decision of the minister is not subject to the review of the board. It is the decision of the board that is subject to the review of the minister,” he said.
Meanwhile, the doctors and nurses at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have since suspended their industrial action over the suspension of Chief Executive Officer Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 9, the Komfo Anokye Doctors’ Association (KADA) announced the suspension following engagements with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Hospital Board, management and other stakeholders.
Part of the statement issued read, “The Komfo Anokye Doctors’ Association (KADA) wishes to inform the general public that the industrial action embarked upon by its members has been suspended with effect from today, 9th June, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
This decision has been made following fruitful engagements and the timely intervention of His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Hospital Board, Management and other key stakeholders who have demonstrated commitment towards addressing the concerns that led to the industrial action.
While KADA remains committed to ensuring that the issues that occasioned the strike are fully resolved, we have carefully considered the potential impact of the prolonged action on patient care and public health. The safety and well-being of patients and the broader public interest remain central to our responsibilities, and these have informed our decision to suspend the action and continue the dialogue.
KADA expresses its profound gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu I1, the Board, Management, and all stakeholders for their efforts in facilitating dialogue and fostering a path toward an amicable resolution of the outstanding issues.
We are particularly grateful to the National Executive Council (NEC) and membership of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for their unwavering support and intervention in this important matter”.
The statement follows, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in a statement who has said the decision to suspend the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo, was taken in the interest of accountability.
According to the Health Ministry, the ongoing industrial action by doctors and nurses at KATH is unfortunate.
The Health Ministry disclosed that the suspension was a carefully considered administrative decision taken in the interest of accountability, patient safety, and adherence to established procedures within the health sector.
Watch the video below:
'The man admitted and apologised before me' – Health Minister Mintah Akandoh defends the decision to suspend Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital CEO, adding that the action was to serve as a deterrence to other officials.
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) June 16, 2026
This was in response to a concern raised by Minority Leader,… pic.twitter.com/MDYHYstraH
