Dr. Vishnu Nene Limon Abayateye, a member of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), formally petitioned, demanding the resignation of President Dr. Serebour.
This is per Dr. Serebour’s advice for GMA members to keep working in spite of Organized Labour’s statewide strike scheduled for October 10, 2024, in opposition to unlawful mining.
In the petition, which is scheduled for the annual general assembly meeting in Ho in November, Dr. Abayateye attacked Dr. Serebour for allegedly acting unilaterally in releasing a statement declaring the GMA would not take part in the strike without consulting the National Executive Council or the general assembly.
Emphasizing that the president’s actions did not reflect the opinions of the larger membership, Dr. Abayateye said, “This is clearly in obvious contravention of Article 16 of the GMA constitution.”
Dr. Abayateye further said that Dr. Serebour’s position has plunged the association into disarray.
In the October 8 petition, he said, “The announcement made the association appear duplicitous in the eyes of well-meaning Ghanaians, especially given our previous positions on the health and environmental effects of illegal mining, so compromising GMA’s reputation.”
Under article 23 of the GMA constitution, the petition aims to get the required two-thirds approval from the general assembly, which would enable Dr. Serebour’s removal.
Dr. Abayateye has advised that all members and officials engaged should be informed and that the matter be included on the annual conference agenda.
The petition has spurred internal discussion among the GMA, with many members now debating whether Dr. Serebour’s direction fits the association’s larger goal, especially with relation to environmental health.
Given the destiny of the GMA presidency hangs in the balance, the forthcoming conference in November is expected to attract major interest.
The GMA has not yet answered the petition or issued an official remark regarding the incident.