By Daniel Bampoe
Amid a growing healthcare crisis at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has issued an emotional appeal to striking doctors to call off their industrial action and return to the negotiation table.
“I want to appeal to the doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and let’s sit down and strategize together on how to move forward,” Akandoh said during a press conference in Accra on Thursday, April 24.
“I need the cooperation of everyone. Without your cooperation, much cannot be achieved.”
The Health Minister’s plea comes just 24 hours after the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) announced an indefinite suspension of emergency and outpatient services.
The doctors’ action followed what they described as a humiliating encounter with the Minister and Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini during a visit to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit on April 22.
In a statement released late on April 23, DATTH declared: “With immediate effect, all members of DATTH have proceeded on an indefinite suspension of all emergency and outpatient services.”
They added that inpatient care would continue for patients already admitted “until they are safely discharged.”
Demands and Discontent
Central to the doctors’ demands is a call for “unqualified apologies” from both Akandoh and Suhuyini to Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, staff of the Emergency Department, and all doctors at TTH.
The association further outlined extensive logistical needs necessary for effective clinical operations, including:
A stable supply of water, electricity, oxygen, and basic consumables.
Sixteen new ventilators across various departments.
MRI, CT scan, mammography, and fluoroscopy machines.
Mobile x-ray and ABG machines.
Servicing of existing autoclave machines.
“These are not luxury items,” the doctors stressed.
“They are essential tools needed to save lives and uphold the quality of care.”
Minister Responds with Donations
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, Akandoh announced that the Ministry of Health would be donating over 35 medical items to the hospital.
“This morning… we have some equipment, some consumables, and some medicines to be donated to Tamale Teaching Hospital,” he said, listing EEG machines, nebulizer sets, ECG machines, ICU ventilators, and infant incubators among the donated items.
He further emphasized the government’s commitment to “righting the wrongs in the health sector” and encouraged the prudent use of available resources.
“Let us ensure the optimum utilization of the limited resources available to us,” he urged health facilities nationwide.
GMA Slams Government Over CEO Dismissal
The strike is also rooted in the controversial dismissal of TTH CEO, Dr. Adam Atiku and the subsequent appointment of Dr. Abubakar Bawah Abdulai.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) condemned the move, calling it “an affront to due process and an abuse of power.”
In a statement jointly signed by GMA President Dr. Frank Serebour and General Secretary Dr. Richard Selormey respectively, the association accused the Minister of unethical conduct during the hospital visit, stating that his public critique of a patient’s death breached confidentiality and endangered staff.
“The head of the Emergency Unit has already received threats and cyberbullying… putting staff at risk of physical harm and psychological trauma,” the GMA warned.
Backlash Over New CEO
The newly appointed CEO, Dr. Abdulai—who previously contested the Karaga parliamentary seat on the NDC ticket—is facing skepticism from hospital staff.
“He is the head of the MRI department which is always down,” said one senior doctor. Another warned, “If this appointment is politically motivated… we should prepare for more avoidable deaths.”
The GMA echoed concerns about the politicization of healthcare management, urging the government to respect institutional protocols.
Broader Healthcare Concerns
The incident at TTH has once again spotlighted the systemic issues facing Ghana’s health sector—chronic underfunding, equipment shortages, and managerial interference.
“The health workers of this country work under very difficult circumstances,” the GMA said, stressing that some often pay out of pocket to ensure patient care.
