Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has affirmed that calls for the arrest of Ralph St. Williams, the man who allegedly assaulted nurses at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), are justified.
The Minister, who has already condemned the incident in strong terms, said the law must be allowed to take its full course, describing the Calls for accountability as both legitimate and fair.
The altercation, which occurred at the hospital’s emergency unit, was captured on video and quickly went viral, generating widespread public outrage.
The footage showed a chaotic scene in which Ralph and others breached the triage area, apparently frustrated over what they considered to be delays in receiving medical attention. The incident sparked heated debate about the safety of frontline health workers and the adequacy of hospital security systems.
Speaking on the matter, Minister Akandoh was categorical in his stance that the assault constitutes a crime and cannot be overlooked.
“I made that call, after my visit, to the media. It’s fair. I have insisted that the law must take its own course. So if there’s an assault, it’s a crime, alright, unless you tell me otherwise”.
Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
According to him, it is only right and proper for the suspect to be arrested and subjected to the judicial process, just as the Minority in Parliament has demanded.
The Minister explained that his position is grounded not in politics but in the principle of fairness and the need to ensure justice for health workers who often endure stressful and dangerous conditions in their line of duty.
“If it comes to arresting the individual, it is fair,” he said, stressing that no one should take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances.
Assurance of Government’s Support
In response to the attack, the Ministry of Health has moved to reassure health professionals of the government’s support. Minister Akandoh disclosed that immediate steps are being taken to strengthen hospital security systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He also constituted a committee to investigate the matter within a week, with the aim of establishing the facts and recommending measures to enhance staff and patient safety.
The Minister had earlier visited the Ridge Hospital to personally assess the situation. During the visit, he met with both the health workers involved and representatives of the patient.
“Yesterday, I visited the Greater Accra Regional Hospital to personally ascertain the altercation that occurred over the weekend between a patient and some health workers. I strongly condemn any attack on health workers.
“I have also directed a reassessment of security at the hospital. Furthermore, I met with both parties involved and instructed my officers to thoroughly investigate the incident”.
Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Hon. Akandoh’s remarks highlight the government’s determination under President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda to restore discipline and integrity across public institutions, including the health sector.
He noted that safeguarding the welfare of health workers is integral to building a resilient healthcare system that commands public trust. The incident has reignited a broader national conversation about the challenges facing health workers, especially those in high-pressure emergency units.
Many professional associations, including the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, have repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing rate of attacks on nurses and doctors. They argue that such incidents undermine morale and threaten the quality of patient care.
For Minister Akandoh, the way forward lies in addressing both sides of the problem—holding perpetrators of violence accountable while also ensuring hospitals are adequately resourced to deliver timely and effective care.
His directive for a security reassessment and the establishment of an investigative committee signal a two-pronged approach that seeks both immediate accountability and long-term reforms.
Minister Akandoh made clear his position: justice must be done. “I have insisted that the law must take its own course,” he reiterated, underscoring the seriousness with which the government views the Ridge Hospital assault.
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