Saturday, 23 August

Minority Health Caucus condemns Ralph St. Williams’ conduct at Ridge Hospital

Health News
Nana Ayew Affriyie

The Minority Health Caucus in Parliament has strongly condemned what it describes as the “unlawful and reckless” conduct of Mr. Ralph St. Williams at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) on Monday, August 18, 2025.

A viral video circulating on social media shows Mr. St. Williams storming the hospital premises with a group of men, shouting aggressively, filming health professionals, patients, and visitors without their consent, and causing disruption to hospital activities.

In a statement signed by Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member of the Caucus, said Mr. St. Williams’ behaviour was “an affront to public order, the privacy of patients, and the dignity of hardworking health professionals.”

It warned that hospitals are “places of care, healing, and confidentiality, not theatres for political theatrics or disruptive conduct.”

The Caucus expressed concern about what it described as a growing pattern of misconduct by Mr. St. Williams, noting his recent altercation with a minority Member of Parliament that required police intervention.

It further criticised what it sees as tacit government endorsement of such behaviour, pointing to Mr. St. Williams’ recent cordial interactions with the Minister of Health.

According to the statement, “the government has, by its silence and gestures of accommodation, given licence to individuals aligned with or sympathetic to the National Democratic Congress to engage in needless acts of intimidation, disorder and political violence under the guise of activism.”

The Minority warned that such selective tolerance undermines democratic institutions and the morale of frontline health workers.

The Caucus extended apologies to Ridge Hospital’s management, staff, patients, and visitors for the disruption, while reaffirming its respect for health workers’ sacrifices.

It called on the Ghana Police Service to thoroughly investigate the incident and take legal action to prevent a recurrence.

Additionally, the group urged the Minister of Health to collaborate with Parliament’s Select Committee on Health to launch an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the incident.

 

“The sanctity of our health facilities must be preserved at all times,” the statement concluded, adding that the Caucus remains committed to protecting the rights of patients and shielding health workers from intimidation and partisan abuse.

Source: classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah