Health Minister’s confrontation at Tamale Teaching Hospital was “unwarranted” – Alex Gyamfi

Private legal practitioner, Alex Gyamfi, has questioned the conduct of Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh during a confrontation with the Director of the Tamale Teaching Hospital Dr. Adam Atiku, suggesting that the minister’s approach was inappropriate and should be reviewed.

Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (26 April) Gyamfi said the confrontation could have been handled more respectfully and professionally, without escalating tensions.

“Was it really necessary for the minister to have the confrontation in that manner with the director at the hospital?” he asked. “Is the minister prepared to say, ‘I am sorry’ or suggest a meaningful way to deal with the issue? I think the incident should not have happened.”

Mr Gyamfi acknowledged that while mistakes can occur because “we are human beings,” he emphasised that the priority now should be to find constructive ways to address the situation.

The lawyer also criticised the minister’s subsequent visit to the hospital to deliver medical equipment, arguing that the minister’s comments during the presentation attempted to unfairly indict the hospital’s leadership.

“When the minister went back to give them the equipment, did you hear the full statement he made? Trying to indict somebody completely, as if nobody has done anything at the Tamale Teaching Hospital,” he said. “Some of these things—the facts speak for themselves.”

Doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital have since embarked on strike action over the matter, a development Mr Gyamfi described as regrettable. He, however, expressed hope that interventions by traditional leaders could calm tensions.

“Even though I am not happy about the strike, I pray that the doctors rescind their decision. I hear there has been an intervention from the Tamale chiefs for the doctors to soften their stance,” he said.

Mr Gyamfi further noted that he had heard reports that the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer’s appointment had been terminated following the incident and called for clarity regarding the terms of the CEO’s employment.

“To the extent that the minister had to wake up and do what he did—what is the essence of the Ghana Health Service? What is their role in this matter?” he questioned, adding that the GHS, as an administrative body, should have been allowed to handle the situation.

He suggested that, rather than taking direct action, the minister should have formally notified the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service to investigate and resolve the matter appropriately.

“Sometimes we need to be careful in our decisions. In an attempt to satisfy our political positions and supporters, we make things look like if we don’t act, Armageddon will descend,” Gyamfi warned. “The minister’s action must be reviewed.”

He concluded that the minister’s intervention was “unwarranted” and that adherence to due administrative processes would have been a more responsible course of action.

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