Minority demands reinstatement of Tamale hospital CEO
The Minority caucus on the Health Committee of Parliament has called for the reinstatement of Dr. Adam Atiku, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, describing his dismissal by the Health Minister as “unlawful, undemocratic, and a brazen abuse of executive power.”
The caucus, in a press statement issued on Wednesday, April 23, accused the Health Minister of acting without legal authority or due process in removing Dr. Atiku.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh is said to have dismissed the Chief Executive Officer following the death of a patient under disputed circumstances and after paying an unannounced visit to the hospital on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
The Minority MPs in their statement insisted that the Minister’s action was not only a breach the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 1009), but also threatens the rule of law and administrative justice in the health sector.
“This decision is arbitrary, void, and of no legal effect,” the Minority stated. “It flies in the face of Sections 34, 37, and 42 of Act 1009, which clearly outline the procedures for the appointment and removal of CEOs of teaching hospitals. The law does not grant the Minister unilateral powers to dismiss a sitting hospital CEO.”
Patient’s death sparks outrage
The controversy stems from the death of one Bavug Salim, who was reportedly rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state.
According to reports, he was allegedly left unattended for hours, leading to his death.
Following the incident, the Health Minister visited the facility on Tuesday, April 22, and after receiving what he deemed an unsatisfactory explanation from a medical officer, Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, he announced the immediate dismissal of the CEO, citing mismanagement and negligence.
But the Minority insists the move was unjustified.
They warned that the Minister’s actions set a dangerous precedent, where political interference overrides laid-down procedures in public health institutions.
“This authoritarian approach undermines institutional integrity and erodes the confidence of health professionals,” the Caucus said. “If CEOs can be dismissed on a whim, how can we expect them to act independently or enforce discipline within their institutions?”
They also called on the Ghana Medical Association, health worker unions, and civil society organisations to resist what they termed “executive overreach” and demand the reinstatement of Dr. Atiku to safeguard the sanctity of healthcare leadership.
Minister sets up probe committee
Meanwhile, the Health Minister has constituted a three-member committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death.
The committee, which is expected to submit its report within two weeks, has been tasked with assessing the hospital’s emergency response systems and overall operational efficiency.
But the Minority maintains the probe is a smokescreen meant to legitimise an already flawed and politically-motivated decision.
“The committee’s findings cannot cure a fundamentally illegal act. Due process must be followed—anything less is an insult to the Constitution and to all professionals in the sector,” the statement.
