On Sunday, August 17, 2025, a disturbing episode unfolded at the emergency department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, commonly known as Ridge Hospital. A video circulating online shows relatives of a patient clashing with health workers supposedly over perceived delays in emergency care, which escalated into a physical assault on a nurse.
In response, the Parliamentary Majority, led by the Chair of the Health Committee, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, demanded the arrest and prosecution of the individuals involved. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, August 20, he emphasized the importance of following due legal process.
“I don’t see why the police should not arrest this person and let him go through the process… You’re arrested, granted bail, and if there’s a need to go to court, you go to court… That is the law,” he insisted.
Dr. Nawaane commended the nurses for maintaining professionalism amid provocation.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer Tony Goodman of the Ministry of Health addressed public criticism over a video showing Health Minister Kwabena Akandoh shaking hands with the alleged perpetrator, social media activist Ralph St William.
Goodman clarified that the handshake should not overshadow the Minister’s full scope of actions:
– Minister Akandoh immediately responded by visiting the hospital, advocating for medical care for affected staff.
– He engaged the Greater Accra Regional Police Command and called for enhanced security protocols.
– Most importantly, he instructed the police to apprehend the culprit, though Ralph St William reportedly fled before arrest, while another accomplice was detained.
Goodman urged the public to consider these actions collectively rather than focus solely on a brief gesture of greeting.
Read also: Ralph Can Only Be Sanctioned by the Police Over Ridge Incident, Not Health Minister – Hamza Suhuyini
The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) condemned the assault as an outrageous act of lawlessness, disrupting emergency healthcare. In their statement dated August 19, they called for:
– Immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved.
– Heightened security at the emergency unit.
– Comprehensive support medical, psychological, and legal for affected health staff.
– A renewed, unequivocal ministerial condemnation of violence within healthcare settings.
Echoing similar sentiments, Health Minister Akandoh described calls by the parliamentary Minority for the arrest of the suspect as “fair,” underscoring that the law must take its natural course.
Amidst the calls for justice, Hamza Suhuyini, National Communications Team member of the NDC, stressed another dimension of the issue: the welfare of patients. He argued that the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) must also address systemic issues that drive public frustration—particularly poor communication between hospital staff and distressed families. According to him, such breakdowns in patient engagement often lead to confrontations, underlining the need for empathy and better communication protocols in healthcare delivery
