Ahiagbah Slams Health Minister, Demands His Removal Over Nurses' Strike
Accra, Ghana - 14 June, 2025 - Ghana's Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh is facing calls for his removal from office following a recent nurses' strike that paralyzed healthcare services across the country. Richard Ahiagbah, Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been vocal in his criticism of Akandoh's handling of the crisis, describing his behavior as "completely unacceptable."
Ahiagbah's comments come after the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) called off its strike following emergency negotiations with the government, mediated by Parliament's Health Committee.
The strike, which lasted several days, was sparked by the nurses' demands for better working conditions and compensation.
According to Ahiagbah, Akandoh's response to the crisis was inadequate, and he failed to take timely action despite warnings from the nursing association as far back as January.
In an interview on Channel One TV's The Big Issue on Saturday June 14, Ahiagbah also criticized Akandoh's suggestion to recall retired nurses as a temporary measure, calling it "reckless and insensitive."
“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.
“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,” Ahiagbah stated.
“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.
“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,” Ahiagbah added.
Source: Lead News Online
