Health Ministry Defends Ridge Hospital Report
The Ministry of Health has dismissed allegations. It claims the committee investigating the alleged assault at Ridge Hospital did not fail to interview the doctor. This is contrary to a major claim. For instance, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh received the committee’s final report. It concluded that no physical assault occurred. However, a verbal altercation did happen between Mr. Ralph St. Williams and hospital staff. The report, in fact, confirms the Ridge Hospital probe thorough and detailed.
The report also highlighted severe staffing shortages. Furthermore, non-functional diagnostic equipment and inadequate security are big problems. These issues were found in the Emergency Department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. A nurse, Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, had reported injuries to her left hand the day after the incident. Conversely, medical records indicated no fracture or dislocation. She received pain medication and psychological support. These findings, in short, were key to the report.
The Greater Accra Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Jefferson Asare, maintained a different view. He insisted the attending physician made the diagnosis of polycontusion. A polycontusion is a condition involving multiple bruises, swelling, and redness. He said the nurse herself or hospital administrators did not make the diagnosis. He insisted, moreover, that excluding that physician from the interview process compromised the report’s integrity.
But the Ministry insists its committee members consulted the doctor. The ministry says the committee’s recommendations are very comprehensive. They range from increased staffing to improved security and diagnostic infrastructure. The report, therefore, intends to address longstanding systemic weaknesses. It does not intend to settle individual disputes. The Ministry strongly refutes the GRNMA’s claims.
Responding to claims by Asare, in an interview on Channel One TV’s Point of View on Wednesday, August 27, the Ministry’s spokesperson and committee member, Tony Goodman, strongly refuted the assertions. “That is not correct. We have spoken with everybody, including the doctor who saw the lady,” Mr. Goodman stated. “He is a specialist, and this committee’s work cannot be rubbished.” Mr. Goodman added that the committee’s process was thorough and inclusive. The Ridge Hospital probe thorough report focused on strengthening the healthcare system. Consequently, it did not assign blame.
Source: Abigail Arthur for CitiNewsroom, August 28, 2025
