Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has criticized certain union leaders for targeting him personally, describing such actions as counterproductive to the progress of Ghana’s health sector.
His remarks come in the wake of comments by Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), who questioned the minister’s grasp of hospital operations, citing his background in farming.
The criticisms followed a tense incident at Ridge Hospital, where relatives of an accident victim clashed with emergency staff over treatment delays, escalating to an alleged assault on a nurse.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, August 21, Akandoh noted that while he respects the role of unions in addressing sector concerns, attacks on his person at every opportunity undermine efforts to strengthen health services.
He said, “It has come to our attention as a Ministry that some union leaders have developed a pattern of attacking my person at the least provocation and in most cases without provocation. As a Ministry, we have a clear mandate to deliver, to improve the health sector. Let me state this—any attempt by any individual or group to incite health professionals against government is unfortunate. We must stop that. It is an avoidable tension that does not help the sector.”
The minister reiterated his commitment to advancing health sector reforms under the Mahama administration, asserting that criticism will not derail ongoing efforts to improve service delivery.
Akandoh also explained the steps taken after the Ridge Hospital incident, including sending a delegation to assess the situation and implementing measures to enhance staff security.
He concluded that personal attacks and provocations should not distract from the collective goal of improving healthcare for all Ghanaians.
