The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has forcefully entered the fray surrounding the controversial dismissal of Dr. Adam Atiku, Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), calling the move a blatant disregard for institutional autonomy and professional dignity.
Dr. Atiku’s abrupt removal on Tuesday, April 22, by the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has sparked national outrage. The decision followed an unannounced ministerial inspection prompted by the tragic death of a patient—Bavug Salim—reportedly due to the absence of a functioning ventilator.
A video from the visit, now widely circulated on social media, captured a tense and public confrontation between the Minister and Dr. Valentine Akwulpwa, Head of the Emergency Department and one of the few neurologists serving the Northern Region.
In a scathing statement released on Wednesday, April 23, the GMA accused the Minister of bypassing established administrative protocols and subjecting medical staff to public humiliation. “This action is not only a flagrant abuse of executive authority, but also a violation of the dignity and rights of healthcare professionals,” the association declared.
The GMA further demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from both the Minister of Health and Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, for what it termed an “unwarranted attack” on medical staff.
“The Ghana Medical Association stands with our colleagues at TTH. This affront to professional integrity must not go unchallenged,” the statement read.
The Association also stressed the need for transparency in investigating the patient’s death, urging TTH management to follow proper procedures and avoid scapegoating under pressure. “Accountability is essential, but it must be pursued through lawful, respectful, and structured channels,” it emphasized.
As public debate intensifies over political interference in healthcare, the GMA’s intervention adds significant weight to calls for respect, reform, and a renewed commitment to the independence of Ghana’s medical institutions.
