Ahiagbah demands health minister’s resignation over nurses’ strike

The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has called for the immediate resignation of Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, citing his alleged mishandling of the recent nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).

In an interview with Channel One TV on Saturday, June 14, Mr. Ahiagbah did not hold back, describing Akandoh’s conduct as “completely unacceptable.”

“First of all, Honourable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister for Health, must go. He should have been gone. He must go. He must go home, leave the Ministry and go home. Completely unacceptable behaviour,” he said.

Mr. Ahiagbah referenced Akandoh’s previous role as Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, accusing him of hypocrisy and poor leadership.

“Did you see the things he was doing and saying? He accused Dr Agyemang-Manu of looking on for a strike, a local strike in Kumasi, Komfo Anokye over administrative professional matters,” he said.

The GRNMA strike, which disrupted healthcare services across the country, was suspended on Friday, June 13, following emergency negotiations led by Parliament’s Health Committee and other stakeholders.

According to the communications director, the Health Minister ignored early warnings from as far back as January and failed to deliver on promises made to the nurses, including commitments tied to the 2025 Budget.
“They found all the fiscal space to allocate GH¢2.7 billion for compensation at the Jubilee House, but didn’t prioritise the health of Ghanaians,” he said.

He also condemned the Minister’s proposal to recall retired nurses as a stopgap measure, describing it as “reckless and callous.”
“That kind of hardball he was playing with people’s health was repugnant. People died because of his negligence. For that reason, he must be gone,” he stated.