Pharmacist Kwame Sarpong Asiedu has criticized the recently sacked CEO of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), asserting that he should never have remained in charge of a facility in decline. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday night, Asiedu emphasized that this situation violates documented health system assessments.
The CCD Fellow stated that it is time for healthcare professionals to stop hiding behind their titles and take principled stands, especially when systemic failures in the healthcare system are ignored. “That’s why I struggle to support the sacked CEO of the Tamale Teaching Hospital,” he said, referencing the Health Harmonisation Assessment Report—an evaluation commissioned by the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Global Fund, and the World Health Organization.
Asiedu highlighted alarming findings from the report, noting that only 5% of consultation rooms in the country are equipped adequately for proper diagnoses. “It’s not me saying it. It is in the report,” he stressed.
He accused successive policymakers and health leaders of neglecting this critical data while focusing resources on constructing new hospitals without addressing fundamental issues. “We jettisoned that report and went into building hospitals,” he lamented, urging health professionals to communicate these concerns to policymakers, particularly the Health Minister.
Asiedu also criticized what he termed “political dishonesty” within the health sector, calling for an end to such practices. He expressed strong disapproval of health professionals who are aware of these troubling reports yet continue to work in non-functional facilities. “If you make decisions that contradict health assessment reports, then we should walk away. It’s as simple as that,” he declared.
He could not support a CEO who remained in position despite overwhelming evidence of an unsafe environment for healthcare delivery. “Now you find yourself in confrontation with the Minister, I cannot support you,” Asiedu stated, questioning how anyone could ignore the findings of these reports.
Acknowledging that similar criticisms could be directed at many professionals, including himself, he emphasized, “That’s why I spoke out when those reports came out—to say nobody should be working under those facilities.”
In a candid and frustrated discussion, Asiedu made it clear that the dysfunction in the health sector is not due to a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of courage. “We have the data,” he asserted. “But we continue to act like we don’t. That’s the real betrayal.”
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