Nurses and midwives at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have threatened to join an ongoing strike by doctors, escalating industrial tensions at one of Ghana’s largest referral hospitals over the suspension of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr (Med) Paa Kwesi Baidoo.

In a notice of industrial action dated 6 June the KATH District Branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA) said its members would withdraw services from 6:00 a.m. on 7 June if the Health Minister does not reverse the suspension of the hospital’s CEO.

The planned action follows a similar decision by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association, which announced a total withdrawal of services over the same issue, deepening disruption at the facility.

GRNMA said its move was in solidarity with doctors and other health workers, describing the suspension of the CEO as “unnecessary” and not a solution to the operational challenges facing the hospital.

It said staff were working under “extremely difficult conditions” due to overcrowding, staffing constraints and infrastructure deficits that have strained patient care.

“Patient safety, quality healthcare delivery and the protection of patients cannot be achieved with the suspension of the CEO,” the association said.

The nurses and midwives group added that KATH continues to receive overwhelming referrals from across the country, while infrastructure, equipment and supplies have not kept pace with demand.

The association outlined several demands, including the immediate withdrawal of the CEO’s suspension, accelerated completion of the Sewua Hospital and Afari Military Hospital, and urgent retooling and expansion of KATH and its referral facilities.

GRNMA warned that failure to address the concerns could result in a full withdrawal of services, despite efforts by the hospital’s board to prevent wider industrial action.

The Ministry of Health has not yet publicly responded to the latest notice.