The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has strongly condemned a violent incident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital that left staff traumatized and one nurse severely injured. His visit followed the circulation of a viral video showing parts of the attack, which occurred on Sunday evening, August 17, 2025.
According to hospital authorities, the incident began when a social media activist, Ralph St. Williams, popularly known as “Fellow Ghanaians,” became agitated after being asked to activate his medical card before receiving treatment for finger injuries. At the time, medical staff were attending to another accident victim with a severe head wound.
Ralph, however, insisted that it was “inhuman” for staff to delay care until cards were activated, especially when a patient was “gasping for air” and he himself had “been bleeding for about an hour.” He reportedly threatened that if anything happened to the victims, the medical staff would “know no peace.” The confrontation quickly escalated into violence.
Moments later, Ralph allegedly returned with about 50 men who stormed the hospital’s emergency ward, assaulting staff and disrupting medical services. Nurses were advised to change out of their scrubs to avoid being targeted. One nurse, Rejoice, claimed she was brutally attacked and is now suffering injuries to her head, chest, and arm. However, circulating CCTV footage has not confirmed physical assault on her.
Hospital management reported that the chaos lasted nearly two hours before calm was restored. The situation left staff and patients shaken, with many expressing fears about their safety while on duty.
In response, Minister Akandoh condemned the assault in strong terms, describing it as “unacceptable, irrespective of the provocation.” He emphasized that “no circumstance warrants a physical attack on health workers” and assured that investigations are underway. The Minister further indicated that new measures will be put in place to enhance security in health facilities to protect both staff and patients.
The incident has sparked public debate about patient rights, hospital procedures, and the safety of frontline health workers. Authorities have pledged that the matter will be pursued to its logical conclusion and that perpetrators will be held accountable under the law.
By Winsongma Abudu
UNIMAC-IJ
