The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) has served notice of a nationwide strike over what it describes as the unfair removal of the Head of Laboratory Services at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).
In a letter dated May 5, 2026, and addressed to key stakeholders including the Office of the President, the Ministry of Health, and the National Labour Commission, the union said it intends to embark on industrial action effective Tuesday, May 12, 2026, if the matter is not resolved.
According to MELPWU, the decision follows what it called the unilateral and unlawful removal of a duly appointed medical laboratory scientist from the position, in breach of earlier agreements.
The union explained that the appointment had been made in line with resolutions reached at a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by the Ministry of Health on February 3, 2026. These agreements, it noted, led to the suspension of a previously planned strike action in good faith.
However, MELPWU accused management of KBTH of disregarding those resolutions. It alleged that the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Medical Affairs, and Director of Human Resource Management reassigned the appointed head and replaced the individual with a physician, contrary to established governance structures.
The union further claimed that the move undermines the professional structure of medical laboratory services and violates agreements reported to the National Labour Commission.
MELPWU warned that the situation poses a threat to industrial harmony and could affect healthcare delivery if not addressed promptly.
As part of its demands, the union is calling for the immediate reinstatement of the removed medical laboratory scientist as head of laboratory services at KBTH. It is also demanding the establishment of a clear leadership structure and a separate regulatory council to oversee medical laboratory practice in Ghana.
Additionally, the union is insisting on strict adherence to earlier resolutions reached under the auspices of the Ministry of Health in February 2026.
MELPWU also called for the resignation or removal of the Board Chairman of KBTH, Professor Titus Beyuo; the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Y.S. Adam; and the Director of Medical Affairs, Dr Frank Owusu-Sekyere, accusing them of bias and conflict of interest.
The union said it remains open to urgent engagement with authorities within the notice period to resolve the dispute and avert disruptions to essential health services.
