The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for the immediate withdrawal of the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), giving the government three working days to reverse the decision.

The demand follows an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association on June 6, 2026, after the Minister of Health directed the KATH Board to suspend the hospital's CEO.

In a statement signed by its President, Prof. Dr Ernest Yorke, the GMA said the actions taken by KATH management to address congestion at the hospital's Accident and Emergency Centre were appropriate and consistent with international best practices.

"The actions taken by the management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) were the right and proper professional and administrative decisions in line with best practice in patient safety and responsible healthcare leadership across the world," the statement indicated.

The association rejected suggestions that patients were abandoned or denied care, insisting that measures were put in place to ensure affected patients received treatment elsewhere.

"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 association continued.

Reverse KATH CEO's suspension now – Minority to government

According to the GMA, the intervention by KATH management, together with support from health authorities and facilities in the Ashanti Region, helped ease pressure on the emergency centre and restore admissions within a day.

"The decision, together 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 Centre within 24 hours," it read.

The association argued that the initial query and subsequent suspension directive issued against the CEO were unjustified.

"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," the statement added.

The GMA subsequently demanded the suspension be reversed and the CEO be immediately reinstated.

"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 three working days," it demanded.

The association also threw its support behind the ongoing industrial action by doctors at KATH, stating that the strike should continue until the suspension is withdrawn and measures are implemented to improve emergency care capacity in Kumasi.

"The National Executive Council fully supports and stands by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association's decision to withdraw services until the suspension is withdrawn and necessary measures are put in place to improve emergency capacity in the Kumasi enclave," the statement said.

The GMA further criticised the conduct of Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, accusing him of actions that have negatively affected health workers.

"The Ghana Medical Association also expresses its 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 the associated increasing general demotivation of health professionals and incidents of violence against health workers," it criticised.

The association urged the minister to adopt a more collaborative approach in dealing with healthcare professionals.

"We call 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 the objectives of the sector," it noted.

It warned that it may be compelled to take further action if the situation persists.

"If such acts continue, the Association and its members will have no choice but to take remedial action to ensure the sector does not degenerate into chaos," the statement concluded.

MAG/BAI

'He said he wanted to die' - Sister of Adenta building collapse victim speaks