Ghana’s Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured the public of the ministry’s commitment to transparency and accountability following the controversial death of a 29-year-old patient at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
The deceased, Bavug Salim, was transferred from the One Heart Hospital in Tamale to TTH’s emergency department on April 13, 2025, in critical condition but died shortly after. His passing sparked widespread concern and allegations of medical negligence.
In response, the Minister set up a three-member independent committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the case. The committee, chaired by Dr. Abdul Rahim Mohammed of the University for Development Studies, included lawyer Khalid Abdul Rauf and Dr. Takyi Duayeden of the Ghana Health Service, with Ms. Vida Domekaar Mwireh serving as secretary.
Over two months, the committee held 12 meetings, engaging with the deceased’s family, hospital staff, and relevant stakeholders, while also reviewing TTH’s clinical and operational procedures.
Presenting the report in Accra, Mr. Akandoh commended the committee’s thorough work and pledged swift implementation of its recommendations.
“We will carefully review the report and ensure that all recommendations are acted upon. The goal is to improve healthcare delivery not only in the Northern Region but across the country,” he stated.
While the 39-page report remains undisclosed, the Minister indicated that its proposals, if implemented, could significantly enhance TTH’s efficiency and reputation.
Minister Recognizes Award-Winning Nurse
In a related development, Hon. Akandoh also met with Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an oncology nurse at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, who won the prestigious Aster Guardian Global Nursing Award 2025.
He praised her achievement as a source of national pride and used the occasion to outline new government interventions to improve nursing and healthcare in Ghana.
Among the measures announced were: reduced nursing training fees from over GH¢6,000 last year to about GH¢3,000 this year, payment of delayed nursing training allowances, with processing ongoing, sponsorship for at least 15 nursing tutors, with plans to expand, a new 20% rural posting salary bonus to encourage nurses to serve in underserved areas and strategies to address graduate nurse unemployment, with over 7,000 nurses already recruited.
The Minister also highlighted efforts to curb professional migration (“brain drain”) by expanding specialist training and improving working conditions.
To personally support Naomi, Mr. Akandoh donated GH¢50,000 toward her professional activities, urging that more healthcare workers receive similar recognition in the future.
Naomi, in turn, appealed to the Minister for stronger support for nurses, emphasizing that hospitals cannot function effectively without them.
Hon. Akandoh closed by reaffirming the government’s vision to position Ghana as a pharmaceutical hub and build a resilient health system that tells positive stories.