A Labour Expert at the Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation, Peter Bismark Kwofie, has described as unethical the decision by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to remove doctors who refuse postings from the government payroll, even though the action may be legally permissible.
His remarks follow a warning by the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Juaboso that doctors who decline postings to rural areas risk being removed from the government payroll by the end of February 2026.
Reacting to the directive, Mr. Kwofie said:
“While the government, as an employer, has the legal authority to withdraw a doctor’s name from a posting list if the individual refuses the assignment, it is ethically problematic to remove them from the payroll without first addressing the concerns that may have informed their decision.”
He stressed that refusing a posting does not necessarily amount to indiscipline.
“There could be legitimate and genuine reasons why a doctor may decline a posting. These may include concerns about workplace safety, lack of accommodation, inadequate essential facilities, or the absence of the technology required to deliver quality healthcare,” he explained.
Mr. Kwofie further argued that threatening dismissal under such circumstances could be unfair.
“If the issues raised relate to basic working conditions and professional requirements not being met, then it becomes unethical to threaten removal from the payroll. These are structural issues that must be resolved to ensure effective healthcare delivery,” he added.
He also highlighted the importance of providing safe and enabling working environments, particularly in rural areas.
“Matters such as security, network connectivity, decent accommodation, and a conducive working environment are not luxuries; they are necessities. Government must prioritise these if it expects doctors to accept postings willingly,” he emphasized.
The debate comes amid ongoing concerns about staffing challenges in rural health facilities across the country.
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