Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh on Monday backed opposition lawmakers’ demands for the arrest of a man who assaulted nurses at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, saying legal action is warranted in the wake of the widely condemned attack.
In remarks during an interview on The Pulse on JoyNews, Mr. Akandoh described the minority’s push for accountability as “fair,” adding that the incident should be treated as a criminal matter.
“I made that call after my visit,” the minister said. “If there’s an assault, it’s a crime—unless you tell me otherwise. The law must take its own course.”
The suspect, identified as Ralph St. Williams, was captured on video physically confronting medical staff at the hospital’s emergency unit. The footage, which circulated widely on social media, triggered public outrage and renewed calls for improved safety conditions in Ghana’s healthcare facilities.
The altercation reportedly occurred after Mr. Williams and a group of individuals forcibly entered the triage area, allegedly frustrated by delays in receiving treatment. The Ministry of Health has since condemned the attack and announced plans to strengthen hospital security protocols.
Mr. Akandoh also confirmed the formation of a committee tasked with investigating the incident within a week. During a recent visit to the Ridge facility, the minister sought to reassure staff of government backing, saying the administration would not tolerate violence against healthcare workers.
“The safety of our health professionals is non-negotiable,” he said.
The case is being closely watched amid broader national conversations on healthcare delivery and patient conduct in emergency settings.
