They have thus closed the Out Patient Department [OPD] of the facility and are discharging patients “prematurely.”

The staff had earlier in October petitioned the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, to remove Dr Dordoye on the grounds that his style of administration was oppressive and that he was psychologically traumatising the staff, among other allegations of mismanagement.

They had also in August this year threatened to release all inmates of the facility onto the streets due to lack funds for their upkeep.

Read also: Ankaful Psychiatric threatens to release inmates over lack of funds

In a radio interview on Accra-based Citi FM, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Psychiatric Nurses’ Group, Benjamin Anewotey, said Thursday’s action has been necessitated because all attempts to have their concerns addressed have proved futile.

Read also: Ankaful Hospital psychiatric nurses group threatens strike

He said “we are laying down our tools from now till we hear something from whether the minister or through management.”

“Those in the wards are being discharged prematurely due to our strike… those who will be coming to the OPD; none of them will be attended to by nurses. Every nurse is laying down their tools,” Mr. Anewotey said.

When Graphic Online's Timothy Gobah visited the hospital Thursday morning all the wards were locked while the staff were outside.

Some relatives of the inmates were stranded at the entrance watching events as they unfold.