The Minister for Health has directed the immediate suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for two weeks following the hospital’s announcement suspending the admission of emergency cases, a move the Minister says contravened directives from President John Mahama.
In a letter dated June 5, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the KATH Board, the Minister invoked Section 36(1) of the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act, 1996 (Act 526), instructing the Board to suspend the CEO with immediate effect.
According to the letter, the CEO is being sanctioned for “causing to be announced the suspension of admissions of emergency cases” at the hospital on June 3, 2026.
The Minister stated that during a meeting held on June 4, 2026, the Chief Executive acknowledged that the decision was inconsistent with directives issued by President Mahama.
“The Chief Executive admitted before me on Wednesday June 4, 2026 that he acted contrary to the clear directives of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana by that said announcement,” the Minister wrote.
The meeting was attended by the Ministry’s Chief Director, Technical Advisor and Legal Advisor.
The suspension comes amid public concern over reports that KATH, one of Ghana’s foremost referral hospitals, had halted admissions of new emergency cases. The announcement generated widespread debate given the critical role the hospital plays in providing specialized and emergency healthcare services to patients across the northern sector of the country.
Beyond the suspension of the CEO, the Minister has also requested the KATH Board to investigate comments made by the hospital’s Head of Public Affairs during an interview with Channel One Newsroom regarding the suspension of emergency admissions.
According to the Minister, the spokesperson’s comments were also “contrary to the directives of the President.”
The Board has been tasked to determine the authority under which the Public Affairs Head granted the interview and whether management had approved his appearance on the programme.
The Minister further directed that any appropriate sanctions arising from the investigation be applied where necessary.
The KATH Board has been given two weeks to complete its investigations and submit a report to the Ministry of Health.
The suspended CEO is expected to report directly to the Minister upon the expiration of the two-week suspension period.
