A committee set up by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to investigate the widely publicized assault incident at Ridge Hospital has found no medical evidence to support claims that Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, a rotation nurse at the facility, sustained a dislocated shoulder or wrist fracture during the altercation.
The committee’s report was presented to the Health Minister on Wednesday, August 27, following a week-long probe into the incident, which triggered public outcry and legal action.
Ms. Bortei had alleged that she was physically assaulted on August 17 by social media personality Ralph Saint Williams while on duty.
According to her, she was struck with a clenched fist and a metallic cellphone, leading to injuries in her arm, shoulder, waist, and chest, along with persistent headaches and panic attacks.
The nurse subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Mr. Williams, demanding GH¢7 million in damages for alleged assault and defamation.
She is also seeking a public retraction, an apology, and a court order restraining Mr. Williams from coming within 50 meters of her.
However, in its findings, the investigative committee chaired by Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu stated that medical examinations conducted on August 18 — a day after the alleged assault — showed no evidence of a shoulder dislocation or wrist fracture, as claimed by Ms. Bortei.
“There was no evidence of fracture on her left wrist or dislocation of her right shoulder joint as documented by the medical records,” Dr. Ofori-Boadu noted in the report.
While the nurse did receive pain relief and psychological support following the incident, the committee maintained that the clinical records did not corroborate the severity of the physical injuries alleged.
Despite the committee’s findings, Ms. Bortei maintains her account of the events, insisting that Mr. Williams’ actions not only caused her physical harm but also defamed her publicly.
In her lawsuit, she accused him of publishing a live video calling her a liar and alleging she had fabricated the injuries to “cover the nonsense going on at the hospital.”
The Health Ministry has not yet indicated whether any further action will be taken following the committee’s report.
