Minister for Health, Honourable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has provided Naomi Oyo Ohene-Oti, a Ghanaian oncology nurse who recently won the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, a GHC50,000 cash support package.

Naomi Oyo Ohene-Oti, who emerged winner of the prestigious international award for her outstanding contributions to cancer care, presented her accolade to the Ministry of Health.

Honourable Mintah Akandoh congratulated Naomi Oyo Ohene-Oti for putting Ghana on the map through her professional excellence, dedication and compassion.

According to Hon. Akandoh, Mrs. Ohene-Oti’s achievement is not just a personal triumph, but also a testament to the hard work of Ghanaian nurses who continue to serve in critical roles across the health system, especially in deprived areas.

“Your achievement is Ghana’s achievement. Today, we are proud of you, and this support package is not just from me but from the Ministry of Health and the people of Ghana who stand behind you,” he said.

The minister noted that her recognition will inspire other health professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, to strive for excellence globally.

He emphasized that nurses form the backbone of healthcare delivery, often serving communities where doctors may be absent, and government remains committed to supporting their welfare.

Outlining some recent interventions, the Minister disclosed that nursing training school fees have been cut by almost half compared to last year to ease the financial burden on students. He added that nursing trainee allowances are being paid, and government is in the process of converting some training institutions into degree-awarding facilities.

He further called on the public, regulators, unions, and health training institutions to collaborate closely with the government in shaping a stronger and more resilient health sector. “Wisdom is not in one person’s head. Together, we can make Ghana’s healthcare system one of the best on the continent,” he stressed.

Honourable Mintah Akandoh has pledged to continue recognising and supporting health workers whose contributions advance healthcare delivery and promote Ghana on the world stage

Tamale Teaching Hospital report

The internal committee tasked to establish the exact circumstances that led to the death of a patient at the Tamale Teaching Hospital on April 13, 2025 has presented its final report to Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

The independent committee, chaired by Mr. Abdul Rahim Mohamed, was tasked to assess the clinical, operational, and systemic factors that may have contributed to the incident, which generated widespread public concern and allegations of medical negligence.

Presenting the report on Tuesday, August 26, Mr. Rahim explained that the committee engaged the patient’s family, hospital staff across relevant units, including the emergency department and ICU, as well as reviewed standard operating procedures at the hospital.

He noted that the committee’s findings were accompanied by far-reaching recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and restoring public confidence in the hospital’s services.

According to the committee chairman, Tamale Teaching Hospital plays a critical role in providing care not only to residents of the Northern Region but also to neighboring regions and even parts of Burkina Faso, making the strengthening of its systems vital to the wider health sector.

Receiving the report, Hon. Akandoh commended the committee for its dedication and professionalism. He assured the public that the Ministry will thoroughly study the findings and ensure that the recommendations are implemented.

“The ultimate aim is to improve the quality of healthcare services in our country. This report is not just for the Ministry, but for the people of Ghana, who deserve assurance that the system is being strengthened”, the Minister stated.

The Minister emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling matters of public concern and pledged to continue working with all stakeholders to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery nationwide.

Background

Management of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) earlier clarified that the patient whose death sparked social media outrage required a critical medical procedure the facility does not currently offer.

In a statement dated April 21, the hospital expressed condolences to the bereaved family and acknowledged the growing public concern over the alleged misconduct. TTH explained that the deceased had been referred from another health centre and needed a specialized intervention that falls outside the scope of services available at the hospital.

Compounding the situation, all four ICU beds at the facility — which serves as the main referral hospital for Northern Ghana — were reportedly occupied when the patient was brought in.

TTH appealed to the public to avoid drawing hasty conclusions, assuring that a full internal probe is underway. “The hospital is committed to full transparency and will communicate the outcomes of the investigation once concluded,” the statement said.

The hospital also reaffirmed its commitment to providing compassionate and quality healthcare, adding that efforts are ongoing to enhance emergency and critical care delivery across the region.

Minister for Health, Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, paid a working visit to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, in response to allegations of malpractice that resulted in the death of a patient who had been referred to the facility.

The purpose of this visit was to obtain first-hand information regarding the circumstances surrounding the patient's death, which had been reported on social media over the weekend, alleging misconduct by some healthcare personnel.

The situation intensified when the minister went to assess the public restroom facilities.

President John Dramani Mahama relieved the Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr. Adam Atiku, of his duties pending the internal investigation into the death of the patient.

The Minority in Parliament and the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) opposed the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), describing the move as an abuse of authority and a breach of established protocols.

"The manner in which the dismissal was carried out is an affront to due process and abuse of power by the Hon. Minister of Health. The GMA stands in solidarity with our colleagues in the wake of these injustices being perpetuated," the Association stated.

“These acts, if continued, have the tendency of demoralising committed workers and reducing public confidence in the health system,” the GMA noted.

On Wednesday, April 23, the NPP Members of Parliament issued a statement demanding the "immediate reversal" of Dr. Adam's dismissal, describing the minister's move as “unlawful, void, and of no effect.”

“This attitude is not only authoritarian but diametrically opposed to the principles of administrative justice, accountability, and the rule of law,” the statement asserts.

The Minority referenced specific sections of the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 1009), particularly sections 34, 37, and 42, which they claim do not grant the minister the authority to dismiss the CEO of a teaching hospital in the current circumstances.

The caucus also called on health associations and workers' unions to mobilize and demand Dr. Adam's reinstatement.

Later, President John Dramani Mahama appointed Dr. Abubakar Bawah Abdulai, a senior official at the University for Development Studies (UDS), as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to replace Dr. Adam Atiku.