The decision by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh to form a committee to look into the event at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital involving NDC activist Ralph St. Williams has been supported by Hamza Suhuyini, a member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) publicity team.
He maintained that although the minister is mandated to maintain discipline in medical facilities, he lacks the legal authority to penalise Ralph personally.
On Wednesday, August 20, the lawyer stated on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily that the Ghana Police Service and other pertinent state agencies are the only ones who can decide whether the activist committed a crime.
“The minister is not clothed with the powers of the Ghana police service. It is not within the purview of the minister to determine that the gentleman in question has committed a crime or otherwise; that is a responsibility of another state
institution,” Mr. Suhuyini mentioned.
The remarks follow the viral video that showed Ralph and other guys invading the emergency room at Ridge Hospital on Sunday, August 17.
After accusing medical personnel of failing to treat an accident victim, he was observed yelling at them, photographing patients without their permission, and interfering with medical procedures.
Some staff members were assaulted during the altercation, and hospital management later acknowledged in a statement that they reported the incident to the authorities.
A committee will be formed to look into the situation within a week and suggest sanctions if needed, the Health Minister said on Tuesday.
Nonetheless, the Parliamentary Minority maintains that the matter is not limited to an internal investigation.
The Caucus noted in a statement written by Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member on the Health Committee, that the minister’s behaviour, evidenced by a video showing him being friendly with Ralph even after the event, runs the risk of encouraging more behaviour like this.
“Hospitals are places of care, healing, and confidentiality; they are not theatres for political theatrics or disruptive conduct,” the Minority stated.
