Former Okaikwei North Member of Parliament (MP), Alhaji Fuseini Issah, has criticised Health Minister Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh over his response to the recent assault on health workers at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital.
The former legislator argued that the minister’s decision to personally intervene in the matter was unnecessary and risked undermining the work of investigative authorities.
Speaking on the matter, Alhaji Fuseini Issah questioned the judgment behind the minister’s swift appearance at the facility, suggesting that political considerations rather than professional protocol informed his conduct.
“For some weird reason, he has the backing of political institutions and thinks he has no boundaries. I am certain he has political backing. I think the minister should allow the appropriate bodies to undertake investigations, and whoever is found to have misbehaved should be brought to book.
“What did the minister go to do at the hospital? He had no business there. The minister cannot tell us that for every report of an attack in a hospital, he is going to personally show up”
Alhaji Fuseini Issah, Former Okaikwei North MP
The controversy erupted after a viral video captured a violent clash between relatives of an accident victim and emergency staff at Ridge Hospital over alleged delays in treatment.
The footage circulated widely across social media platforms, drawing sharp public concern over the safety of frontline medical staff and the pressures they face in emergencies.
The Ministry of Health has since confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the assault, while efforts are underway to apprehend another individual still at large. In response to the incident, Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh constituted a committee tasked with investigating the altercation and directed that findings be submitted within one week.
However, his visit to the hospital in the immediate aftermath of the confrontation has sparked debate. Critics, like Alhaji Fuseini Issah, argue that such interventions by political officeholders risk interfering with due process. He made a blunt assessment of the minister’s actions.
Ministry Defends Minister’s Role
The Ministry of Health has defended the minister’s conduct, dismissing suggestions that he overstepped his role. Ministry spokesperson Tony Goodman insisted that Akandoh’s presence at the hospital was a demonstration of leadership and reassurance to both staff and patients.
“He should rather be commended for acting swiftly instead of being criticised,” Tony Goodman said. He also downplayed public concerns that the minister was seen exchanging pleasantries with one of the alleged perpetrators, describing the focus on such details as misplaced.
The incident also took a political turn after some reports sought to link Ralph St. William, identified as one of the perpetrators of the assault, to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
That suggestion was flatly rejected by Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru, who stressed that partisan politics should not be introduced into a matter of law and order.
“The gentleman involved has no link with the NDC as a political party, [it] is a fact. Let us not add to our conversation. He is not an NDC affiliate. Everybody knows his political lineage as a political activist”
Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru, Deputy NIA CEO
Alhaji Nasiru further described the incident as “very unfortunate” and said the eventual arrest of the suspect would be welcome news. “None of us wants to witness such scenes, especially when we want to move the country forward,” he added.
Safety Concerns
Beyond the political debates, the Ridge Hospital incident has reignited calls for stronger protections for health workers who continue to face hostility in the line of duty.
Stakeholders have warned that without robust measures, such attacks risk undermining confidence among medical professionals and worsening an already strained healthcare delivery system.
For the Ministry of Health, the assault highlights the urgent need for improved security arrangements in health facilities nationwide. The Ministry reiterated that investigations would be pursued to their conclusion and those responsible prosecuted.
As the debate continues, the spotlight remains on the balance between political leadership and institutional independence. While critics accuse the Health Minister of overreach, his defenders argue that he merely fulfilled his duty to stand with health workers under attack.
The coming days are expected to test the effectiveness of the committee’s probe and whether justice is ultimately served without political interference.
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