The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, Tony Goodman, has defended Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh following criticism of his conduct after the assault of a nurse at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital).
A section of the public has accused the Minister of “fraternising” with Ralph Saint Williams, one of the alleged perpetrators, after a video surfaced showing the two shaking hands and hugging.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Goodman dismissed the claims, insisting that the Minister should be praised for his decisive actions rather than condemned.“Why are we saying the Minister was fraternising? Was he expected to take off his shirt and fight the suspect? That is not his role. He gave clear instructions to the police to investigate and provided leadership at the hospital,” Mr. Goodman argued.
According to him, Mr. Akandoh was the first government official to arrive at Ridge Hospital after the incident. The Minister directed management to prioritise care for the injured staff, engaged the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, and called for stronger security at the facility.
Mr. Goodman also criticised the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), accusing the group of only reacting after the Minister had taken action.
“When someone does the right thing, we should acknowledge it. The Minister ensured the matter was handled immediately, while others remained silent. When the incident happened, the association was nowhere to be found,” he said.
He maintained that the Minister’s response—condemning the assault, protecting staff, and initiating police investigations—demonstrated responsibility and commitment to justice. He urged the public not to judge the Minister’s leadership based solely on a brief handshake.
Meanwhile, Mr. Goodman confirmed that one suspect has been arrested, while a manhunt is underway for Ralph, believed to be the prime suspect.
