The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has strongly condemned the violent actions of a group of youth who besieged the Northern Regional Hospital, formerly known as the Tamale Central Hospital, as captured in a viral social media video.
In the viral video, the youth were captured locking up the office of the Medical Director and other administrative offices and barricading off the Out Patients Department.
Reacting to the development, the GMA, in a statement dated November 19, 2025, described the actions as “lawless acts” which put the “lives of patients and staff as well as the safety of property in danger.”
The GMA expressed deep concern over what it says is a growing pattern of youth groups storming health facilities to threaten managers and disrupt operations.
It warned that such conduct, carried out “in breach of the clear procedures of the public service in seeking redress,” endangers not only workers but also the general public.
The Association has urged the Police to act swiftly, stating that it “calls on the Police to take immediate steps to bring the perpetrators to book.”
The GMA further appealed to traditional authorities to intervene by calling the youth to order and work with the facility managers to help resolve genuine concerns at the facility through appropriate channels.
Reiterating that laid down mechanisms exist for addressing grievances, the GMA stressed that issues relating to management or service delivery should be handled without “resorting to violence.”
“We also call on the leadership the leadership of the Ghana Health Service to immediately ensure adequate protection of the Medical Director and all staff while resolving any concerns,” the statement, co-signed by Prof. Dr. (Med) Ernest Yorke, President of the GMA, and Dr. (Dent) Richard Selormey, General Secretary, said.
The GMA assured the public that it is monitoring the matter closely and “will take necessary actions in due course should the threat to doctors and other health workers persist.”
