The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate reversal of the dismissal of Dr Adam Atiku, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital. 

He was dismissed by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, following a surprise visit to the hospital on Tuesday, 22nd April which erupted a heated argument.

The Minister’s decision came after an allegation of negligence by hospital staff, which reportedly led to the tragic death of a patient at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Ward.

Well, in a statement dated 23rd April and signed by NPP MPs on the Parliamentary Health Committee, the Minority Caucus condemned the decision as unfortunate and a violation of due process.

The statement argued that the Minister does not possess the sole authority to dismiss the CEO, citing Section 37(1)(e) of the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 1009).

According to the Minority, Section 34(7) of the parent Act 525 stipulates that the removal of a member of a Teaching Hospital Board, which includes the CEO, must be effected by the President in consultation with the Council of State.

The NPP Minority also criticised the Minister’s heated altercation with a hospital staff member, identified as Dr Valentine Akwulpwa, that it was emotionally charged and reckless adding that a public outburst was demeaning, inappropriate, and a breach of the decorum that should guide professional interactions in healthcare.