The minority caucus in Parliament is demanding the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, CEO of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), following his suspension by the government. The caucus, through its Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, issued a statement on Sunday, June 7, 2026, condemning the suspension as a politically motivated move to deflect from systemic failures within Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure.
Systemic Issues Over Leadership Blame
Dr. Ayew Afriye characterized the suspension as a “knee-jerk decision” that fails to address the root causes of the persistent “No Bed Syndrome” plaguing KATH. He argued that while preventable deaths require thorough investigation, holding the hospital’s CEO solely accountable overlooks deep-seated structural challenges.
“The persistent ‘No Bed Syndrome’ is not fundamentally a leadership problem at KATH. It is a capacity problem. It is an infrastructure problem. It is a referral system problem. It is a health workforce and resource allocation problem,” Dr. Ayew Afriye stated.
Unoperationalized Facilities Exacerbate Congestion
The minority lawmaker highlighted that the pressure on KATH has been intensified by the delayed operationalization of critical health facilities designed to alleviate congestion. He specifically pointed to the Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua and the Afari Military Hospital.
These facilities were intended to reduce the burden on KATH, yet they remain underutilized. “It is therefore difficult to understand why a government that inherited these critical facilities would choose to suspend a hospital CEO rather than accelerate the full operationalisation of these hospitals and strengthen referral arrangements,” he questioned.
District Hospitals Lie Dormant
Further compounding the issue, Dr. Ayew Afriye cited the Trede District Hospital and the Kokoben-Oforikrom District Hospital. Both facilities, commissioned in 2024 with 100-bed capacities and equipped for modern healthcare services, remain largely non-operational nearly two years after their completion.
“It is therefore difficult to understand how government can justify suspending the CEO of KATH for challenges arising from excess demand when two fully completed 100-bed hospitals, specifically built to absorb part of that demand, remain unable to provide the services for which they were constructed,” he argued.
Questions of Political Motivation
The Ranking Member called for governmental transparency regarding the delays in activating these key health facilities in the Ashanti Region. He raised concerns about potential political motivations behind the inaction.
“Many Ghanaians are beginning to wonder whether the apparent lack of urgency in bringing critical facilities such as the Sewua Hospital into full operation is influenced by the fact that the Ashanti Region is not considered a major electoral stronghold of the governing NDC. Government must provide clear answers,” he urged.
Doctors Withdraw Services in Protest
In solidarity with the suspended CEO and in protest of the Minister of Health’s directive, medical doctors at KATH announced an indefinite withdrawal of services. They convened an emergency meeting on Friday, June 5, 2026, deeming the suspension of Dr. Baidoo unjustified and detrimental to patient care.
The doctors’ action underscores the deep dissatisfaction within the medical community regarding the government’s handling of the situation. They believe punishing an administrator will not solve the fundamental issues plaguing the hospital.
Call for Dialogue and Systemic Solutions
Dr. Ayew Afriye emphasized that suspending one hospital administrator will not create beds, equip wards, recruit staff, or decongest referral centers. “What the Ghanaian people expect is leadership that confronts the root causes of the crisis rather than seeking convenient scapegoats,” he stated.
The minority caucus urged the government to revoke the suspension, fully operationalize completed health facilities, address concerns from the Ghana Medical Association and other health professionals, and adopt a more collaborative approach to managing the health sector. The caucus stressed that the health sector needs tangible solutions, not political narratives.
Future Outlook
The suspension of the KATH CEO and the subsequent withdrawal of services by doctors highlight a critical juncture for Ghana’s healthcare system. The coming weeks will reveal whether the government will heed the calls for systemic reform and the operationalization of stalled facilities, or if the focus will remain on individual accountability. The effectiveness of the referral system and the equitable distribution of resources will be key indicators to watch as the nation grapples with ensuring adequate healthcare access for all its citizens.
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