Health Ministry says KATH CEO is suspended for two weeks as administrator, not doctor

The Ministry of Health has clarified that the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Paa Kwesi Baidoo, relates only to his role as the administrative head of the facility and does not affect his status as a medical officer.

The clarification was issued in a statement dated June 7, 2026, following an indefinite strike by members of the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association and the Nurses Chapter in protest against the suspension.

The action followed a directive to the KATH Board by the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, under Section 36(1) of the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act, 1996 (Act 526), to suspend Dr Baidoo for two weeks after the hospital announced a temporary halt to admissions at its Accident and Emergency Centre due to severe congestion.

The announcement was later deemed inconsistent with a directive by President John Dramani Mahama that public hospitals must not turn away emergency cases under any circumstances.

In its statement, the Ministry stressed that Dr Baidoo “was suspended from the administrative head of the hospital (CEO) and not as a Medical Officer of the hospital,” noting that the distinction was important for clarity and record purposes.

It explained that the suspension is an administrative measure aimed at allowing for an independent investigation into the circumstances that led to the temporary closure of the Accident and Emergency Centre, as well as to determine appropriate corrective actions.

The Ministry said the decision was taken in the interest of institutional accountability, patient safety and administrative discipline within the health sector.

It further noted that the suspension does not affect any internal operational arrangements agreed between KATH and the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate.

According to the statement, the action stemmed from the public announcement regarding the suspension of emergency admissions, which the Ministry said was inconsistent with the President’s directive on uninterrupted access to emergency healthcare, issued during the State of the Nation Address.

Describing the ongoing strike as unfortunate, the Ministry acknowledged the concerns raised by health workers but urged that dialogue and established dispute resolution mechanisms remain the appropriate channels for addressing grievances.

It added that the suspension was not intended to penalise efforts to protect patients but rather to ensure accountability, proper communication and adherence to national health directives.

The Ghana Health Service has also been directed to implement immediate measures to ensure uninterrupted access to emergency healthcare services while engagement with the striking doctors and nurses continues.

The Ministry appealed to the affected staff to reconsider their action and return to duty in the interest of patients and the general public.