Minority condemns dismissal of Tamale Teaching hospital CEO

The removal of Dr Adam Atiku, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, has been condemned by the Minority Caucus, Health Committee in Parliament, who have described the action as unlawful and procedurally flawed.

It has been stated by them that the dismissal, which was confirmed publicly by the newly appointed Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, was executed without adherence to due process.

They described the move as a breach of constitutional, administrative, and governance standards.

It has been underscored by the Minority that the dismissal contravenes the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 1009). Under Section 37(1)(e), a teaching hospital CEO is required to serve both as Chief Administrator and as a member of the hospital’s Governing Board.

In addition, reference has been made to Section 34(7) of Act 525, which stipulates that removals of board members—including the CEO—must be effected by the President in consultation with the Council of State.

The Minority also noted that disciplinary matters, as outlined under Sections 42(2)(d) and 46 of the Act, must first be addressed by the hospital’s Disciplinary Committee.

They also criticised the unannounced visit paid by the Minister to the hospital, during which he reportedly engaged in a heated public confrontation with staff over poor infrastructure and non-functional equipment, including ventilators and diagnostic machinery.

It has been reported that the death of a patient was linked to the absence of a working ventilator.

The Minister’s confrontation took place in the presence of media and the public, a move which has been condemned by the Minority as “disrespectful, unprofessional, and harmful” to the dignity of the medical profession.

The dismissal of Dr Atiku has also been described by the Minority as a violation of the principles of natural justice. “No hearing was granted, nor was any allegation of misconduct formally presented to him prior to his removal,” they argued citing the law.

Minority argued that administrative actions affecting the rights or reputations of individuals must be preceded by a fair hearing—an obligation that, in this instance, has not been met.

Furthermore, a formal apology has been demanded from the Minister for Health to Dr Akwulpwa and the staff of the Tamale Teaching Hospital for the manner in which the inspection and subsequent discussions were conducted.

Support has been solicited from the Ghana Medical Association, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, the Health Services Workers Union, and all relevant professional bodies, to defend due process and the integrity of public health institutions.

Civil society organisations have also been called upon by the Committee to advocate for the preservation of constitutional governance and institutional independence.

According to the Minority, the “ongoing demoralisation” of healthcare professionals must be halted, and the sanctity of Ghana’s public health system protected.

The Minority Caucus has reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and has pledged to pursue all available legal and parliamentary avenues to ensure that the matter is properly addressed.

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