National Labour Commission Orders KATH Doctors to End Strike Amid Standoff Over CEO's Suspension

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike by the Komfo Anokye Doctors’ Association (KADA) unlawful, ordering an immediate suspension of industrial action at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). The labor dispute was triggered by the Health Minister’s directive to suspend the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, following operational challenges and persistent congestion at the facility. In a summons issued on June 6, 2026, the NLC ruled that the doctors’ notice of industrial action violated Sections 162 and 163 of the Labour Act, 2003, and failed to follow proper legal protocols. Both the doctors and relevant government authorities have been ordered to appear before the Commission for a formal hearing on June 10, 2026, to resolve the impasse.

The suspension of Dr. Baidoo has sparked a wave of professional and political backlash. The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has issued a three-working-day ultimatum to the government to reinstate the CEO, arguing that his suspension is unjustified and detrimental to the morale of healthcare workers. According to the GMA, KATH’s management had taken appropriate and proactive steps to manage emergency department congestion to ensure patient safety. The association warned of potential further industrial action across the health sector if the government fails to rescind the suspension and address the underlying resource deficits affecting the hospital’s performance.

Adding to the pressure, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has condemned the government’s move as a "kneejerk" reaction and "political scapegoating." Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, argued that the suspension unfairly targets an individual administrator for systemic failures, specifically the persistent "No Bed Syndrome" that plagues Ghana’s healthcare system. The Minority maintains that the crisis at KATH is rooted in infrastructure and capacity deficits rather than leadership failures, highlighting that the government’s failure to complete critical projects—such as the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital and the Ashanti Regional Hospital—has left KATH overstretched and unable to cope with referral volumes.

As the June 10 hearing approaches, the standoff highlights a deepening rift between the Ministry of Health and professional medical bodies. While the NLC has mandated a return to work to prevent further disruption of patient care, the GMA and KADA remain firm in their demand for the CEO's reinstatement and a shift in focus toward long-term infrastructure investment. The resolution of this conflict will likely depend on whether the government chooses to address the structural grievances raised by medical professionals or maintains its disciplinary stance against the hospital's leadership.