The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed the Board of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to suspend the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, for two weeks with immediate effect over the announcement of a temporary suspension of emergency admissions at the facility.
The directive was contained in a letter dated June 5, 2026, following the CEO’s decision to announce the suspension of emergency admissions at the hospital.
According to the Minister, the action was taken in contravention of directives issued by President John Dramani Mahama regarding the management of the situation at the hospital.
“Pursuant to Section 36 (1) of the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act, 1996 (Act 526), I am respectfully directing the Board to suspend the Chief Executive Officer for a period of two (2) weeks with immediate effect, for causing to be announced the suspension of admissions of emergency cases to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital on Wednesday, June 3, 2026,” the letter stated.
Mr. Akandoh indicated that a meeting involving the Ministry’s Chief Director, Technical Advisor and Legal Advisor reviewed the matter and concluded that the CEO’s actions were inconsistent with the President’s directives.
The Minister has also instructed the Board to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the announcement, as well as comments made by the hospital’s Head of Public Affairs during an interview with Channel One News.
According to the Minister, the Public Affairs Unit similarly acted contrary to presidential directives by publicly commenting on the suspension of emergency admissions.
“I am also respectfully requesting you to undertake a thorough investigation to establish on what authority he made those comments on Channel One Newsroom and whether it was a management decision for him to grant the said interview. Where necessary, the appropriate sanctions should be applied,” the Minister directed.
The Board has been given two weeks to complete its investigations and submit a report on its findings and recommendations.
The directive comes amid public concern over the temporary suspension of emergency admissions at the Kumasi-based referral hospital, which has been grappling with challenges affecting healthcare delivery and service provision.
