By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Ghana’s Health Minister, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that some arrests have been made in connection with the alleged assault on some nurses and other health professionals at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).
A viral video showing relatives of a patient physically attacking medical staff at the emergency department of Ridge Hospital sparked public outrage and renewed concern about the safety of frontline health workers.
A section of the Ghanaian public who were not happy with the alleged assault demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits involved.
One of the groups who were asking for immediate action was the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), which has officially issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Police to arrest Ralph Saint Williams and his accomplices, warning that failure to act could lead to further action by the association.
Reacting to those calls in an interview on Asempa FM, yesterday, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Mr. Mintah Akandoh stated that the matter is now in the hands of the Ghana Police Service.
“I can tell you that some arrests have been made. Anybody who says otherwise is not speaking the truth and is not ready to help solve the issue,” Mr Akandoh pointed out.
When the host of the show enquired whether the man identified as Ralph Saint Williams and his accomplices, who allegedly attacked a nurse, were among those arrested, the health minister quickly responded, advising the public to give the police and other law-enforcing agencies space to do their work.
“We should leave the police to do their job. I won’t sit down for things to go wayward in my sector. No one is above the laws of this country,” he stressed.
He went further to explain that the government is fully on top of the matter and has been receiving regular briefings from the hospital.
“The system is running, and as we speak, I’m getting updates. We are on course,” he assured.
The Health Minister also revealed that a five-member committee has been constituted to investigate the incident.
According to him, the committee, comprising a lawyer, an auditor, a human resource officer, a medical doctor, and a nurse, was inaugurated after he visited the hospital on Monday, August 18, 2025.
He explained that the probe will adopt a dual approach: the ministry will handle the administrative aspects, while the police address the criminal dimension.
“These are the two angles we will be working from, so the law will take its course,” he reiterated.
Mr Akandoh assured that the outcome of the investigation will help strengthen hospital protocols and enhance safety for both patients and healthcare workers.
