The Ministry of Health has clarified that swift action was taken by the sector Minister following the recent assault on a nurse at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, despite public concerns over a handshake between the Minister and the alleged assailant.

Speaking on Prime Insight on Joy Prime on Saturday, August 13, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Tony Goodman, explained that the Minister’s visit to the facility was aimed at showing support for staff after the incident.

“When this thing happened on Sunday, on Monday the Minister sent a delegation to the Ridge Hospital. The team came back and said, the staff there are down-spirited. The Minister said no, let me go there and just encourage them,” Mr Goodman recounted.

According to him, Mr Mintah Akando personally met the nurse involved in the incident, encouraged her, and assured her that any items she had lost would be replaced.

He also instructed the hospital’s medical director to ensure the nurse received full support.

Mr Goodman noted that the Minister sent a clear warning to management that attacks on health workers would not be tolerated.

“He told them clearly that he’s not going to allow this to happen… and asked whether they had reported the matter to the police. They said no. The Minister insisted they make an official complaint,” he explained.

Addressing the widely circulated handshake between the Minister and the alleged attacker, Mr Goodman clarified that it occurred by chance when the Minister was leaving the hospital.

“On our way to his car, we met a gentleman. He was shaking everybody’s hand. Because of social media, I quickly noticed him. The Minister doesn’t know him. I said, honourable, that is the guy. Then he went again and asked, why did you do that? And the guy said, I will come to your office,” Mr Goodman revealed.

He clarified that the handshake did not prevent the Minister from acting decisively.

“After the handshake, the Minister asked for a statement condemning the action and also formed a committee to investigate the matter. He also instructed his chief director to write to the Regional Command of the Ghana Police to provide additional security to the hospital,” Mr Goodman stated.

The committee tasked with investigating the incident has since completed its work and is expected to submit its report to the Minister on Monday.

Mr Goodman said that the Ministry is committed to protecting health workers.

“We are on the side of the public and the side of the professional worker. If you don’t take good care of the professional worker, how will that professional worker provide care to the people?” he said.

He further disclosed that the man at the centre of the case, Ralph, has also taken steps through legal channels.

“What I know is that Ralph has caused his lawyer to submit a written report and has also provided evidence to support his reports,” Mr Goodman said.

Read also: Ridge Hospital nurse sues social media activist Ralph Saint Williams for GH₵7m over assault and defamation