By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has condemned what it describes as the “unlawful and disruptive conduct” of one Mr. Ralph St. Williams at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), calling for a full investigation by the Ghana Police Service, according to a statement on Tuesday.
In the statement, signed by Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member on the Health Committee, the Caucus expressed grave concern over an incident in which Mr. St. Williams, accompanied by a group of men, allegedly stormed the hospital premises, filmed staff, patients, and visitors without consent, and caused significant disruption to the facility.
“Such behavior constitutes an affront to public order, the privacy of patients, and the dignity of our hardworking health professionals,” read the statement.
“Hospitals are places of care, healing, and confidentiality; they are not theaters for political theatrics or disruptive conduct.”
They also recalled his recent altercation with a minority Member of Parliament, which required police intervention, suggesting a continued trend of politically motivated misconduct.
What raised further concern for the Caucus was Mr. St. Williams’ “cordial interaction” with the Minister of Health, which they believe raises questions about the government’s willingness to “romanticize and embolden” disruptive figures for partisan gain.
“The government has, by its silence and gestures of accommodation, given license 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,” added the statement.
The Minority apologized to the management, staff, patients, and visitors of Ridge Hospital for the disruption and reaffirmed their respect for Ghana’s health professionals, many of whom work under intense pressure.
They urged the Ghana Police Service to investigate the incident and take appropriate legal action, while also calling on the Minister of Health and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to launch a joint inquiry to uncover the circumstances leading to the event.
“The sanctity of our health facilities must be preserved at all times,” the statement concluded. “Under no circumstances should political opportunism or governmental negligence be allowed to compromise the peace and safety of these vital institutions.”
The Caucus reiterated its commitment to protecting health workers from intimidation, safeguarding patient rights, and ensuring that Ghana’s health infrastructure is not subjected to partisan abuse.
In a related development, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has given a one-week ultimatum to a newly constituted committee tasked to investigate the assault on nurses and health professionals at the Ridge Hospital. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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