Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has pushed back against criticism following his widely publicized handshake with a man accused of assaulting a healthcare worker, describing the gesture as a matter of public decorum rather than personal endorsement.
The controversy stems from a video that surfaced earlier this week showing Mr. Akandoh engaging in what appeared to be a cordial handshake with Ralph St. William, a social media figure at the center of an alleged assault incident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, also known as Ridge Hospital. The footage was captured shortly after the minister concluded a meeting with hospital management regarding the incident.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Mr. Akandoh clarified the interaction. “After the meeting, I was approached and informed that the gentleman nearby was involved in the case. I asked him, ‘Why did you do what you did?’ He extended his hand, shook me, and tried to whisper something. At that point, do I push him away or make a scene?” he said.
Mr. Akandoh insisted that, as a public official, he was obliged to maintain civility—even with individuals facing serious allegations. “Even if that person had been convicted and sentenced, if he stretches his hand to greet me, I believe I still have a duty to return the greeting. It’s not an endorsement—it’s protocol,” he noted.
The minister underscored that the handshake has no implications for the government’s commitment to accountability. He announced the formation of a committee to investigate the matter and assured the public that appropriate measures would follow based on its findings.
“The fact that I shook hands with him does not absolve anyone or halt the process of investigation,” Mr. Akandoh said. “We will get to the bottom of this.”
The alleged assault has sparked a broader conversation around the safety and respect of healthcare professionals in Ghana, an issue the Health Ministry has pledged to address.
