The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda in the Eastern Region, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has criticized Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh over the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), describing the move as unfair and potentially damaging to morale within the health sector.

Speaking on AsaasePa Radio on Friday (5 June) the former deputy health minister said he was surprised by the minister’s decision to suspend KATH CEO Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo for two weeks following reports that the hospital had temporarily halted emergency admissions due to capacity constraints.

“It is not new for health facilities to occasionally turn away patients because of capacity challenges,” Acquah said, arguing that such situations are typically addressed through collaboration among stakeholders rather than punitive action.

He warned that disciplinary measures against hospital administrators under such circumstances could create fear among healthcare managers and frontline workers.

“This could demoralize work attitudes and lower morale among health workers,” he said.

Acquah also questioned how the suspension directive and related correspondence became public, noting that such administrative matters are usually handled through established institutional channels.

He described the circulation of the documents on social media as unfortunate and said the matter should have been managed discreetly while investigations were ongoing.

According to the lawmaker, the focus should have been on addressing operational challenges at the hospital rather than publicly sanctioning its chief executive.

The opposition legislator further accused the government of failing to operationalize several health facilities completed under former president Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.

He argued that funds earmarked for initiatives such as proposed 24-hour markets would be better spent equipping and opening completed hospitals, including facilities built under the Agenda 111 programme.

“I don’t really know what is wrong with this government. Is it the case that when these hospitals are operationalized, people would give credit to the previous administration?” Acquah said.