The Ministry of Health has defended its decision to suspend the Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), describing the industrial action by doctors and nurses in response as “unfortunate” and urging health workers to return to work.

In a statement issued on Sunday (7 June), the ministry said the suspension of KATH CEO Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo was an administrative measure aimed at ensuring accountability and facilitating an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the temporary closure of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre.

The ministry said the decision followed the CEO’s public announcement halting admissions at the facility, a move it said contravened government policy on access to emergency healthcare services.

“It is important to place on record that the suspension arose from the public announcement of cessation of admission into the Accident and Emergency unit,” the statement said, adding that the action was inconsistent with President John Dramani Mahama’s directive that no patient seeking emergency care should be turned away.

Officials stressed that the suspension was related solely to Baidoo’s administrative role as CEO and not his position as a medical doctor.

The ministry rejected suggestions that the move was intended to punish efforts to protect patients, saying it was instead aimed at ensuring proper communication, accountability and adherence to established procedures within the health sector.

Doctors, nurses and midwives at KATH embarked on strike action after the suspension, disrupting services at one of Ghana’s largest referral hospitals and raising concerns about access to healthcare in the Ashanti Region.

The ministry said it had directed the Ghana Health Service to implement contingency measures to maintain emergency healthcare services while discussions continue with the striking health workers.

It also acknowledged longstanding operational challenges facing the hospital and outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, including the completion of Agenda 111 hospital projects, the establishment of specialised cardiac centres and plans for a national emergency care centre.

The ministry urged staff to resume work while dialogue continues, insisting that patient welfare must remain the overriding priority.