The Ministry of Health has described the strike by doctors and nurses at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as “unfortunate” and has directed the Ghana Health Service to put immediate measures in place to keep emergency care running.
In a press statement issued by its Public Relations Unit, the Ministry linked the industrial action to the suspension of KATH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo.
According to the Ministry, Dr Baidoo was suspended as CEO for announcing the closure of admissions into the Accident and Emergency unit without approval from the KATH Board and Ministry.
The Ministry said the move violated President John Dramani Mahama’s directive that “all public health facilities must ensure patients seeking emergency care receive the necessary attention and are not turned away under any circumstances.”
“He was suspended from the administrative head of the hospital (CEO) and not as a Medical Officer,” the statement clarified.
The suspension is to “facilitate an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure and provide remedies going forward.”
Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission has declared KADA’s strike notice improperly served and in breach of sections 162 and 163 of the Labour Act, 2003. In a letter dated 6th June 2026, the NLC ordered KADA to call off the strike immediately and summoned both parties to appear before it on Wednesday, 10th June 2026 at 2pm.
The Ministry however, acknowledged “long-standing operational challenges” at KATH’s A&E and said management must balance patient and staff safety with proper protocols.
It said dialogue and established dispute resolution channels remain the best path.
The Ghana Health Service has been directed to implement mitigating measures to ensure emergency services remain accessible while engagement continues.
The Ministry also highlighted ongoing health sector interventions: retooling of major hospitals, a National Bed Management System, work toward the National Emergency Centre at Burma Camp, completion of Agenda 111 hospitals, and establishment of cathlabs at KATH, Korle Bu and Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Work on the Sewua Hospital project is also “progressing steadily” for completion before end of 2026.
