The investigative committee set up to probe last month’s altercation at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) has called for urgent measures to strengthen security at the facility’s Emergency Department (ED).

The committee, which presented its findings to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said inadequate security played a key role in escalating tensions during the August 17, 2025, incident that went viral on social media.

At the time of the confrontation, the ED had only one private security officer on duty per 12-hour shift. The report described this as “grossly insufficient” for a facility that serves as the primary trauma centre for Accra.

Although a police post exists on the hospital premises, its distance from the ED results in slow response times during emergencies. The hospital has often had to rely on external support from the Adabraka Police Command to restore order.

Recommendations for Security Reform

The committee outlined several measures to enhance security and ensure the safety of staff and patients, including:

Deploying additional security officers at the ED and Ambulance areas.

Ensuring the ED gate is constantly manned by security personnel.

Increasing CCTV surveillance to improve monitoring and evidence gathering.

Assigning police officers to support private security, particularly during weekends and night shifts when the facility is most vulnerable.

Beyond security, the committee also urged government to address chronic understaffing and repair non-functional diagnostic equipment, which it said contribute to patient frustration and conflict.

The Health Minister has pledged to review the recommendations and engage stakeholders to implement them promptly.

Full Report

The investigative committee also concluded that there was no delay in administering emergency care to the patient whose case triggered a confrontation in the Emergency Department (ED).

The committee’s report, presented to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, stated that medical personnel attended promptly to the patient with a suspected head injury. However, it cited a critical challenge: all diagnostic imaging equipment — including X-ray, CT scan, and MRI machines — in the Emergency Department was non-functional at the time of the incident.

This situation forced the hospital to rely on external facilities for scans, leading to treatment delays and public dissatisfaction.

No Evidence of Physical Assault

The viral video of the incident sparked nationwide outrage after showing heated exchanges between Mr. Ralph St. Williams, some commercial riders, and hospital staff. While the committee found evidence of a verbal altercation, it confirmed there was no verified case of physical assault on the alleged victim, rotation nurse Ms. Rejoice Tsotso Bortei.

Ms. Bortei later reported pain in her left hand, but medical examination revealed no fractures or dislocations, and she was treated with pain relief and psychological support.

Security and Staffing Concerns

The probe revealed serious security lapses at the Emergency Department. At the time of the incident, only one private security officer was deployed per 12-hour shift — a figure deemed inadequate for a busy regional trauma centre. Although a police post exists on the hospital premises, its distant location hampers rapid emergency response.

The committee also flagged severe staff shortages. In August, only one medical officer per shift manned the ED, supported by just seven medical officers and two specialists for the entire month. Out of 88 expected nursing staff, only 54 were at post, with 34 having vacated their positions without replacements.

The department continues to operate at near-full capacity, receiving most trauma and acute medical cases in Accra, a situation exacerbated by the absence of a functional hospital in La.

Response from Ralph St. Williams

Mr. St. Williams, who was at the centre of the incident, denied physically assaulting any hospital worker, though he admitted to being angered by comments from a nurse. He stated that his Facebook Live broadcast aimed to expose systemic delays, not attack patients or staff.

Key Recommendations

To address the identified gaps, the committee recommended urgent interventions including:

Security Enhancements: Increase the number of security personnel at the ED, ensure constant manning of the ED gate, deploy police officers (especially at night and on weekends), and expand CCTV coverage to improve accountability.

Staffing Improvements: Recruit more clinical and administrative staff dedicated to emergency care.

Equipment Upgrade: Repair or replace non-functional diagnostic imaging machines to prevent reliance on external facilities.

System-Wide Reforms: Build human resource capacity for emergency care nationwide, expand secondary-level health facilities, and promote public education on emergency department protocols.

The Health Minister is expected to review the report and outline government’s next steps in the coming days.

Below is the full report: