Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reiterated the government’s firm position that no individual, regardless of their social status or provocation, has the right to physically attack health professionals.
Addressing the press at the Ministry of Health in the aftermath of controversy surrounding an alleged assault at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), the Minister condemned the incident and urged against attempts to politicize or divert attention from the real issue of safeguarding frontline workers.
Hon. Akandoh urged Ghanaians to avoid what he described as unnecessary diversions that detract from the core issue of ensuring safety and confidence in the health sector.
“Let me at this point reiterate to the whole country that irrespective of the level of provocation at any health facility in this country, nobody, irrespective of your status in society—absolutely nobody—has the right to attack any health professional in this country.
“Any attempt by any individual or group of people to try to incite the health professionals against the government, pretending it cares more than us, is unfortunate, and we must stop that. It’s an avoidable tension. It doesn’t help the sector.”
Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He described the matter as one of national gravity, stressing that the focus should remain on protecting doctors, nurses, and other staff who serve patients under often difficult conditions.
Chronological Account of Event
The Minister gave a detailed account of the actions taken immediately after the alleged assault. On Monday morning, he said, he dispatched a delegation to Ridge Hospital to assess the situation.
Following their debriefing, he personally visited the facility in the company of senior officials, including the Deputy Director General of the Ghana Health Service and directors from the Ministry of Health.
Together, they met with the Medical Superintendent, toured the facility, and interacted with the victims of the incident. According to Hon. Akandoh, his discussions with hospital management centered on practical solutions rather than blame.
“We had a closed-door meeting to discuss the issues, not insults. One, how to look at beefing up their internal security, staffing issues. So after the closed-door meeting, I came out to address the press to categorically condemn the physical attack. And that is the most important aspect.”
Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
To ensure accountability and transparency, the Minister noted that he announced the formation of a committee to investigate the matter. The committee, he said, comprise a lawyer, a nurse, a medical doctor, an auditor, and a human resource expert. Its mandate is to establish the facts, make recommendations, and guide the Ministry’s response.
“In the engagement with management, I made it clear to them that I had listened to their side of the story. And therefore, as a minister, I will also listen to the other side of the story”.
Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Clarification on Handshake with Key Suspect
However, much of the controversy following his hospital visit focused not on the assault itself, but on a moment when the Minister shook hands with the man at the center of the alleged incident. Addressing the matter directly, Hon. Akandoh explained that the handshake was taken out of context.
“Now when I pulled out, my attention was drawn to a gentleman called Ralph, who was at the center of the controversy. When I asked him why he did this, he stretched his hand, shaking me, and tried to whisper something into my ears”.
Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He emphasized that as a public officer, he was duty-bound to maintain civility, regardless of the circumstances.
“Even if that guy has been prosecuted and sentenced to life imprisonment, and he stretches his hand to shake me, as a minister, as a public officer, I have the duty to stretch and greet him.
“So let us not reduce the fact that I shook hands with him to mean that I should stop any measure or steps that the ministry or government will take to unravel the situation”.
Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He added that as Minister, his priority is not in responding to distractions but in delivering on the government’s health agenda. On a lighter note, he addressed public remarks linking him to farming, saying he was proud of his agricultural background.
“I have been reminded of the fact that I’m a farmer. Yes, nobody needs to remind me. I’m a proud farmer, and everybody knows it. Before my appointment, I was one of the largest rice farmers in this country, and I’m proud of that”.
Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Closing his remarks, Hon Akandoh urged the media and the public to stay focused on the key issue: protecting Ghana’s health professionals and strengthening the health system.
“Please, we have a lot to deliver, and some of these things will not divert our attention. We’ll continue to do our best for Mother Ghana,” he concluded.
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