Roger T.D. Wills Justifies Health Minister’s Visit to Teaching Hospital—Calls for Support, Not Propaganda
Policy analyst Roger T.D. Wills has thrown his support behind the Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, for his recent visit to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, stating that the Minister’s swift response to the troubling developments at the facility shows that the government is indeed working.
Speaking on the “Maakye” show on Kessben TV Annex, Roger Wills explained that the Minister’s decision to visit the hospital even if it caused some agitation among the health workers was a necessary and commendable step. According to him, the fact that the Minister made the effort to be physically present after hearing of the situation shows true leadership and a sense of urgency.
He said, “The Minister has the mandate of the people and is doing what he’s supposed to do. If the CEO is not doing things right and has been fired, then so be it.”
Roger Wills explained that while some believe the Minister should have gone through bureaucratic channels, we have reached a stage in the country’s development where effective leadership demands action and not red tape. “We have gone beyond unnecessary bureaucracy. In a proper working environment, when leadership wants to ensure systems are working, surprise checks are needed, especially where people are lackadaisical towards work,” he added.
He strongly opposed the notion that the Health Minister should have pre-informed the hospital management about the visit, explaining that such advance notice often gives room for systems to be covered up. “How can a teaching hospital, out of negligence, make people lose their lives and still expect to be applauded for doing their work poorly?” he questioned.
Touching on the dismissal of the TTH CEO, Roger Wills argued that leadership is about administration, not necessarily medical expertise. “You don’t have to be a medical practitioner to be a health minister. Administration is a different ball game, it’s about leading people and making strategic decisions.”
He also praised the Minister’s effort in identifying key challenges such as resource shortages and moving to address them. “If he hadn’t gone there, the people would think nobody cares about their lives and the government isn’t working.”
Reacting to the reported letters the CEO allegedly submitted requesting resources, Roger said that if such issues had been raised and still persisted, it only pointed to poor execution and failed leadership. He commended the Minister’s timely intervention and warned against political propaganda overshadowing the need for systemic reforms.
“We should not allow strike threats or propaganda to relegate the Minister’s bold actions to the background. What matters now is fixing the system to save lives,” he concluded.
By: Gifty Bediako Yamoah
