The decision by the Ministry of Health to transfer several principals of Health Training Institutions (HTIs) across the country has come under intense scrutiny, with critics, including health policy expert, Dr. Haruna Alhassan, questioning whether the move reflects President Mahama’s much-touted “Reset Agenda” or rather serves the political interests of the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and his allies.

Dr. Haruna, a respected health researcher, consultant, and known sympathizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), issued a strongly worded critique, suggesting that the transfers were executed hastily and in a suspiciously selective manner.

He raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the criteria used for the transfers, noting that while some principals were abruptly relocated, others—particularly those in the Health Minister’s home region—were conspicuously left untouched.

According to Dr. Haruna, at least 30 principals across the country have been retained, including some who have exceeded the usual tenure thresholds or are serving extended post-retirement terms.

He cited, for instance, the principal of Ankaful Psychiatric Nursing Training College, who has been in office for nearly a decade but was not affected by the reshuffle.

Similarly, the principal of Sunyani NMTC, who has retired and received a five-year extension, was reassigned to Goaso but simultaneously appointed a board member of the Sunyani Teaching Hospital.

However, the Health Minister’s own Sefwi enclave in the Western North Region drew the most attention.

Dr. Haruna revealed that neither of the two HTIs in Sefwi Asafo and Sefwi Wiawso saw changes in leadership, despite their principals having served for years.

In a striking case, the principal of the Sefwi Asafo College of Health—who is reportedly neither a nurse nor midwife—was not only retained but appointed as a nurses’ representative on the board of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

In Sefwi Wiawso, a more recent reshuffle saw the previous principal, who had served for only five months, replaced by the vice principal—a native of the area and said to be close to the Health Minister.

Dr. Haruna called this an abuse of influence that undermines meritocracy and fuels perceptions of nepotism.

He also pointed out glaring mismatches in transfers, such as the reassignment of a male principal to Yeji NMTC, which exclusively offers midwifery training for females—a decision he believes ignores the unique contextual needs of such institutions.

He warned that community-initiated schools, which are still finding their footing without full government infrastructure support, are particularly vulnerable.

Transferring their founding principals risks derailing long-term development plans critical to their survival and growth.

These new appointees, he argued, may lack the historical context and stakeholder rapport necessary to continue the schools' missions.

Furthermore, he criticized the exclusion of HTIs under the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) from the exercise, despite the fact that several principals within that network have overstayed their tenure or are operating under extended retirement periods—an inconsistency that casts further doubt on the fairness of the transfers.

Dr. Haruna’s statement also lamented the failure of the Health Ministry leadership to engage directly with the HTIs or undertake field visits before rolling out the transfers.

“What intelligence or reports were used to justify this exercise?” he asked, calling for immediate suspension of the transfers until proper stakeholder consultations are held.

The situation has sparked unease among some party faithful, community leaders, and education stakeholders, who fear the decision could destabilize the sector, particularly in newly established institutions.
Dr. Haruna concluded that while the reset agenda remains a commendable vision, its implementation must be executed with fairness, strategic foresight, and stakeholder involvement.

“If not handled carefully, this could not only affect institutional growth but also tarnish the credibility of the Health Ministry and by extension, the government,” he cautioned.