Health Minister Under Fire for Confrontation and Dismissal at Tamale Teaching Hospital

The Minister visited the facility following reports of a patient’s death due to the unavailability of a ventilator in the emergency department. During his tour, he confronted the Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit, Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, in a verbal exchange that was recorded and widely circulated on social media. In the video, the Minister is seen visibly agitated, questioning the state of emergency care delivery at the hospital.

Shortly after the visit, Dr. Adam Atiku, the CEO of the hospital, was relieved of his duties. According to the Ministry of Health, the decision was made due to "inefficiencies in leadership and failure to address critical care needs." However, the move has been met with significant backlash from medical professionals and advocacy groups.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has strongly condemned both the conduct of the Minister and the dismissal of the CEO. In an official statement, the GMA described the public confrontation as “an unacceptable display of disrespect and intimidation” and called the dismissal “arbitrary and without due process.” They have demanded an unqualified public apology from the Minister and the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, who accompanied him during the visit. Dr. Frank Serebour, President of the GMA, stated: “Healthcare workers across the country operate under severely constrained conditions. Publicly berating them not only demoralizes the workforce but threatens the very fabric of professional healthcare delivery in Ghana.”

In solidarity, the Doctors Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) has also defended Dr. Akwulpwa and Dr. Atiku, warning against the vilification of medical staff through political interference and media sensationalism. They emphasized the need for constructive engagement rather than punitive measures.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Medicine Society of Ghana (EMSOG) expressed deep concern over the manner in which the Minister handled the situation. They warned that such public reprimands risk driving healthcare professionals away from the public sector, especially in an already overstretched system.

The incident has sparked nationwide debates on social media and among civil society groups, with many calling for a re-evaluation of how government officials engage with public sector institutions. Opposition parties have seized the moment to accuse the government of authoritarian tendencies and mismanagement of the health sector.

As the dust continues to settle, the Minister has yet to publicly address the backlash, while the Ministry of Health maintains that it is acting in the best interest of patient care and public accountability.