The Minority in Parliament has condemned the Health Minister, accusing him of showing gross disregard for Ghana’s professional workers through his recent actions at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
In a statement issued by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions, Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, the Minister’s behavior was described as a calculated attempt to politicise the labour force and shirk the government’s fiduciary responsibilities.
The Afigya Sekyere East MP further cautioned that the incident could destabilize labour relations within the already anxious and overly politicised public sector.
This reaction comes in the wake of a confrontation between the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and frontline workers at TTH, which eventually led to the abrupt termination of the hospital CEO’s appointment.
What began as a tense exchange has now escalated into a national controversy, raising concerns about government disrespect, the politicisation of the workforce, and the erosion of professional dignity.
The statement also highlighted the critical timing of the confrontation, pointing out that the healthcare system is already grappling with a shortage of experienced workers and high levels of burnout.
According to her, in such a fragile environment, undermining the confidence of doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers is considered reckless and potentially deadly.
Mavis Nkansah-Boadu stressed the importance of empowering and respecting healthcare professionals, given their critical role in sustaining community trust and delivering essential services.
She raised concern over the Health Minister’s approach to conflict resolution, noting that his conduct reflected a culture of intimidation and disrespect rather than one of dialogue and understanding.
The MP expressed strong support for the call by doctors for a formal apology to the physician at the center of the altercation and other affected health workers, describing it as a necessary step to uphold their dignity.
She emphasised that every well-meaning Ghanaian should be concerned about the incident, warning that respect for labour should not be sacrificed in favor of political loyalty.
She urged President John Mahama to swiftly reprimand the Health Minister, to affirm the administration’s commitment to civility, accountability, and respect towards Ghana’s workforce.
