Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has defended the decision to suspend the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), stating that no individual has the authority to shut down any section of a public health facility without the approval of the government.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the minister explained that the CEO was asked to step aside for two weeks after taking actions that were inconsistent with a policy directive issued by President John Dramani Mahama on emergency healthcare delivery.

According to Mr Akandoh, the President had directed that no health facility in Ghana should refuse emergency patients under any circumstances.

He told Parliament that the President’s instruction forms part of government policy and must be implemented by the Ministry of Health and all healthcare institutions under its supervision.

The minister disclosed that concerns arose after a public announcement indicated that KATH’s Accident and Emergency Centre had been closed to new admissions.

He argued that such a decision could not be taken unilaterally, stressing that authority to close any part of a public health facility rests with the state.

Following the announcement, Mr Akandoh said he summoned the hospital’s CEO to explain the circumstances surrounding the decision and whether it contradicted the President’s directive on emergency care.

According to the minister, the CEO acknowledged the error and apologised during the meeting.

To ensure accountability and serve as a warning to managers of public health institutions, the Ministry directed the hospital’s governing board to ask the CEO to step aside temporarily while investigations are conducted.

Mr Akandoh maintained that disciplinary measures are necessary to reinforce compliance with government policy and deter similar actions in the future.

He also dismissed suggestions that he required Parliament’s approval before issuing the directive, describing it as an administrative decision that falls within his authority as sector minister.

Citing Section 36 of the legislation governing teaching hospitals, the minister said hospital boards are obligated to implement directives issued by the minister, adding that ministerial decisions are not subject to review by the boards.

He further noted that many administrative decisions within the health sector, including the opening of recruitment portals for health workers, do not require prior parliamentary approval.

However, he said Parliament retains the authority to summon him through the appropriate procedures whenever lawmakers require clarification on decisions taken by the Ministry.

The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions over the temporary suspension of the KATH CEO and the management of emergency healthcare services at one of Ghana’s leading referral hospitals.