Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has clarified that he did not intend to disrespect any medical officer during his recent visit to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), stating emphatically that “respect is reciprocal.”
The minister’s remarks come in the wake of a decision by the Doctors’ Association of Tamale Teaching Hospital (DATTH) to indefinitely suspend all emergency and outpatient services.
The doctors accused the minister and Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, of unwarranted verbal attacks during their visit to the facility’s Accident and Emergency Unit on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Akandoh said that while he acknowledges the concerns raised by the doctors, his comments were not made out of malice or intended to slight the medical professionals.
“I have no intention to disrespect any medical officer. However, let it be known that respect is reciprocal,” he said.
“We are all working towards a common goal—delivering quality healthcare to Ghanaians. Let’s not allow misunderstandings to derail that mission.”
His call for mutual respect comes as patients continue to be stranded at the hospital, following the abrupt withdrawal of services. Long queues formed outside the emergency and outpatient departments on Thursday morning, with many patients expressing frustration over the lack of communication and care.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has since called for calm and urged both parties to prioritize dialogue and professionalism in resolving the impasse.
