The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed the Board of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to suspend the hospital's Chief Executive Officer for two weeks.

The directive, contained in a letter dated June 5, 2026, follows the CEO's announcement on June 3 that the hospital had suspended the admission of emergency cases.

According to the Minister, the announcement was made in violation of directives issued by President John Mahama.

“Pursuant to Section 36 (1) of the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act, 1996 (Act 526), I am respectfully directing the Board to suspend the Chief Executive Officer for a period of two (2) weeks with immediate effect, for causing to be announced the suspension of admissions of emergency cases to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital on Wednesday, June 3, 2026,” the letter stated.

Mr Akandoh said a meeting involving the Ministry's Chief Director, Technical Advisor and Legal Advisor concluded that the CEO's actions were inconsistent with the President's instructions.

The Minister has also directed the Board to investigate comments made by the hospital's Head of Public Affairs during an interview with Channel One News on the suspension of emergency admissions.

He said the comments appeared to be contrary to the President's directives and questioned the authority under which the interview was granted.

“I am also respectfully requesting you to undertake a thorough investigation to establish on what authority he made those comments on Channel One Newsroom. Further whether it was a management decision for him to grant the said interview. Where necessary the appropriate sanctions should be applied,” the Minister directed.

The Board has been tasked to investigate the matter and submit its report within two weeks.

The directive comes amid public concern over the temporary suspension of emergency admissions at the Kumasi-based referral hospital.