The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has thrown its full weight behind the industrial action by doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), demanding the immediate reinstatement of the hospital’s suspended Chief Executive Officer within three working days.
The GMA made its position known in a statement issued following an emergency meeting of the NEC on Saturday, June 6 after taking notice of a directive signed by Health Minister A. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh on June 5, 2026, ordering the KATH Board to suspend the CEO.
The Association firmly defended the decision by KATH management to temporarily halt new emergency admissions, describing it as the right and proper professional and administrative decision in line with best practice in patient safety and responsible healthcare leadership worldwide.
The GMA pushed back against the characterisation that management defied presidential directives, stating that the action did not turn patients away but rather redirected them to nearby hospitals with specialist support from KATH.
“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 statement read.
The Association further noted that the coordinated efforts of the Regional Health Directorate, Regional Coordinating Council, health facilities and health workers in the region led to a significant decongestion of the Accident and Emergency Centre, with new admissions resuming within 24 hours.
The NEC declared that the initial query issued to the CEO and the subsequent suspension directive were without basis and ought not to have been occasioned.
The Association called for the immediate withdrawal of the suspension directive and the reinstatement of the CEO within three working days.
The GMA also announced its full support for the decision by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association (KADA) to withdraw services until the suspension is reversed and necessary measures are put in place to improve emergency capacity in the Kumasi enclave.
The Association noted that ongoing engagements between the KATH Board and the leadership of KADA were underway towards resolving the impasse.
Warning to Minister over conduct
In a strongly worded section of the statement, the GMA expressed displeasure at what it described as actions by the Minister of Health that have directly or indirectly sought to incite the public against health workers, contributing to the demoralisation of health professionals and incidents of violence against health workers.
The Association called on the Minister to cease what it described as hostile and confrontational conduct and engage constructively with health workers.
“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 warned.
The Association urged its members to remain calm as the Council explored effective ways of achieving a resolution.