Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has ordered a one-week deadline for a newly established committee to complete its investigation into a violent assault on medical staff at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, commonly known as Ridge Hospital.
The directive follows the emergence of a viral video showing a physical altercation between relatives of a patient and healthcare personnel at the hospital’s emergency department—an incident that has reignited concerns over the safety of frontline medical workers across the country.
Mr. Akandoh, speaking to reporters on Tuesday after a meeting with officials from the German development agency GIZ, emphasized the government’s resolve to address the situation swiftly and transparently.
“I visited the hospital to engage directly with the affected staff,” the minister said. “They were understandably shaken and demoralized. I assured them that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and within a week, after which appropriate legal action will follow.”
The altercation has fueled broader conversations about the need for enhanced security and protocols to protect health workers, particularly in high-pressure settings such as emergency departments.
The minister’s comments came shortly after a courtesy meeting with GIZ, during which both parties discussed bolstering Ghana’s health infrastructure, improving regulatory frameworks, and supporting institutions like the Food and Drugs Authority.
The committee’s findings are expected to shape the government’s next steps in restoring confidence among healthcare providers and ensuring accountability in the wake of the assault.
