ACCRA, GHANA – In response to calls for frustrated health professionals to resign, President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Prof. Dr. Ernest Yorke, stated on Friday, May 8, that such suggestions are “unfortunate” and counterproductive to addressing Ghana’s healthcare challenges. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Prof. Yorke emphasized that the nation’s health system requires support and reforms, not blame, particularly in light of existing shortages and uneven distribution of medical personnel.
Context of the Controversy
Prof. Yorke’s remarks came after Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Mark Kurt Nawaane, publicly advised medical professionals unwilling or unable to cope with job demands to resign. This statement followed the presentation of findings from a committee investigating the death of Charles Amissah, suggesting a link between the professionals’ alleged stress and patient outcomes.
GMA President Defends Healthcare Professionals
While acknowledging that doctors and other healthcare workers can experience stress and frustration, Prof. Yorke argued that resignation is not the appropriate response from policymakers or managers. “I don’t think the answer is to say, ‘If you are tired,'” he stated.
Ghana already faces a significant deficit of healthcare professionals, especially in rural and underserved areas. Prof. Yorke highlighted that asking existing staff to leave would exacerbate this critical shortage. “We are always complaining that we do not have adequate doctors and healthcare professionals,” he noted. “And the few we have are unevenly distributed in favour of the urban areas, to the detriment of deprived areas.”
Addressing Root Causes of Frustration
Prof. Yorke conceded that a small number of healthcare workers might underperform. However, he stressed that the primary approach for managers and policymakers should be to investigate and address the underlying reasons for worker dissatisfaction. “My attitude will not be ‘go home’ or ‘resign if you are tired’. Rather, I will ask how we can assist these people to address their concerns so they can give their best,” he explained.
He pointed to the difficult working conditions many health workers endure, including inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and the strain of overstretched facilities. “We all know about the poor tooling, the poor working environment, the renovations and all that,” Prof. Yorke said. “So it is a broader conversation than simply pushing the health professional under the bus.”
Call for Balanced Discussion and Support
The GMA President urged for a more comprehensive national dialogue that balances public expectations with the realities faced by frontline health workers. “As stakeholders, let’s all think it through. If indeed somebody is really a bad nut, let’s fish the person out. But where there are genuine concerns, we should address them,” he urged.
Prof. Yorke revealed that the GMA is actively providing support to the healthcare professionals implicated in the Charles Amissah death report. This includes enlisting the help of psychologists and psychiatrists and offering legal assistance. “We will monitor the process to ensure fairness, equity and justice,” he assured.
The ultimate aim, he emphasized, is to improve healthcare services for all Ghanaians. “In the end, I am hoping that whatever comes out of these processes, the Ghanaian will be the beneficiary,” he stated.
Global Mental Health Pressures in the Profession
Adding to the complexity, Prof. Yorke raised concerns about the global mental health crisis affecting doctors. He noted that the medical profession has one of the highest suicide rates worldwide, a situation that is even more acute in countries like Ghana with fewer systemic supports. “Doctors have one of the highest rates of suicide across the world, and that is a fact that cannot be denied. Even in advanced countries where systems are better, the situation exists. So it is even worse for us.”
He clarified that health professionals are not seeking preferential treatment but are advocating for their concerns to be heard and for the current situation to serve as a catalyst for long-term improvements. “We are not asking to be pampered. But let’s use this unfortunate situation to learn lessons and broaden the conversation so the issues identified can be addressed holistically.”
Moving Forward: Focus on Systemic Solutions
When asked directly if overwhelmed healthcare workers should leave the profession, Prof. Yorke reiterated that resignation should not be the default management or policy response. “If somebody has a problem, the duty of management is to get closer and ask what the issue is. The frustration may be for genuine reasons, and there may be solutions that can help both the worker and the system,” he concluded.
The GMA’s stance signals a shift towards advocating for systemic changes, improved working conditions, and supportive management structures rather than punitive measures against individual health workers. The focus remains on strengthening the healthcare system to better serve the Ghanaian population while ensuring the well-being of its dedicated professionals.
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