The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union has announced a nationwide strike set to begin on May 12, 2026, over what it describes as the unlawful removal of the Head of Laboratory Services at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
In a notice issued under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), the Union accused management of the hospital of breaching agreements reached during a stakeholder meeting convened by the Ministry of Health on February 3, 2026.
According to MELPWU, the earlier agreement included the appointment of a Medical Laboratory Scientist as Head of Department—a decision that led the Union, alongside the Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professions, to suspend a planned strike action in good faith.
However, the Union alleges that top management at KBTH, including the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Medical Affairs, and Director of Human Resources, reversed the decision and reassigned the appointed head to accommodate demands from physicians.
It further claimed that a physician has now been imposed to head the department, a move it says undermines professional standards and contradicts established governance structures within medical laboratory services.
MELPWU described the development as a violation of agreements reported to the National Labour Commission, warning that it threatens industrial harmony in the health sector.
The Union is demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Medical Laboratory Scientist as Head of Laboratory Services at KBTH and strict adherence to the earlier resolutions reached under the Ministry of Health.
It is also calling for the establishment of a clear leadership structure and a separate regulatory council for medical laboratory practitioners in Ghana.
Additionally, MELPWU is demanding the removal or resignation of key hospital officials, including Board Chairman Titus Beyuo, Chief Executive Officer Y.S. Adam, and Director of Medical Affairs Frank Owusu-Sekyere, citing alleged bias and conflict of interest.
The Union says it remains open to dialogue within the statutory notice period but cautioned that failure to resolve the impasse could disrupt critical healthcare services nationwide.
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