The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to arrest social media activist Ralph Saint Williams and his alleged accomplices, following a violent attack on healthcare workers at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge.
Williams and a group of followers are accused of assaulting staff and disrupting emergency services at the hospital on Sunday evening. According to hospital authorities, Williams — who had sustained injuries to his fingers — became agitated after being asked to activate his NHIS card before receiving treatment. At the same time, another accident victim with a critical head injury was receiving emergency care.
Moments later, Williams allegedly returned to the hospital with approximately 50 rowdy individuals who stormed the emergency ward, physically assaulting staff and halting operations.
Nurses were reportedly forced to change out of their uniforms to avoid being targeted. However, one nurse, Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, was brutally attacked, sustaining injuries to her head, chest, and arm.
According to hospital management, the chaos lasted for nearly two hours before calm was restored with the intervention of police officers.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who visited the hospital on Monday, condemned the attack as “unacceptable.” He has ordered a full-scale investigation and urged the police to arrest all perpetrators involved.
Meanwhile, the GRNMA says it will “advise itself” should the government fail to act within 48 hours.
“We are asking government to arrest the guy immediately — along with the eight accomplices,” said Dr. David Tenkorang Twum, General Secretary of the Association. “If he is not arrested within 48 hours, we shall advise ourselves.”
