BY Daniel Bampoe
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has expressed deep outrage over the assault of one of its members at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge, vowing to protect nurses and midwives across the country from such acts of lawlessness.
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Rejoice Bortei, a nurse at the hospital’s Emergency Department, was physically attacked by Ralph Saint Williams, a political activist linked to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), who stormed the facility with a group of men.
The incident disrupted operations and left Bortei with a dislocated shoulder.
GRNMA Moves Quickly to Support Victim
Responding swiftly, the GRNMA leadership, led by its General Secretary, Dr. David Tenkorang Twum, paid a working visit to Ridge Hospital.
The team met with management and frontline nurses, including the injured Bortei, who despite being traumatised and owed eight months’ salary arrears, continues to serve patients.
Dr. Tenkorang, speaking after the visit, declared that the Association would not rest until justice is served.
“We are not happy at all. Our people are traumatised. If anybody can walk into a facility like Ridge Hospital, throw his weight about, beat nurses and midwives, and we have party apparatchiks even encouraging them, then Ghana risks becoming a banana republic,” he said.
Demand for Arrest Within 48 Hours
The GRNMA has issued a stern ultimatum to the government and security agencies: arrest Ralph Saint Williams and his accomplices within 48 hours or face nationwide industrial action by nurses and midwives.
“We are asking government to arrest the guy and his eight accomplices within forty-eight hours or we shall advise ourselves,” Dr. Tenkorang warned.
The Association emphasised that this is not merely about one individual, but about the collective safety and dignity of all nurses and midwives. “An attack on one nurse is an attack on all,” he stressed.
Concerns Over Minister’s Conduct
The GRNMA also condemned the actions of Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who was captured on video embracing the alleged perpetrator during his visit to the hospital.
“Very unfortunate, we even saw the Minister of Health embracing this gentleman purported to have assaulted our members. This was after management had briefed him about the crime. For him to then embrace the gentleman is uncalled for,” Dr. Tenkorang said.
The Association warned that such gestures risk sending the wrong signal to the public and emboldening individuals to attack health professionals with impunity.
Call for Stronger Security in Hospitals
Beyond demanding arrests, GRNMA has called for immediate and long-term measures to ensure the safety of health workers, particularly in emergency units where tempers and tensions often run high.
Hospital staff who interacted with the leadership admitted to feeling unsafe, while the Association insisted that management’s current security measures were inadequate.
A History of Attacks
This is not the first time nurses in Ghana have been assaulted in the line of duty.
In recent years, GRNMA has repeatedly raised alarm over rising attacks on health workers, often by patients’ relatives or politically motivated groups.
The Association has consistently urged the state to strengthen protection for its members, but with little success.
GRNMA Stands Firm
Despite the trauma, the Association is assuring its members that it will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion.
“Our commitment remains the welfare, dignity and safety of every nurse and midwife in Ghana. We will not allow lawlessness to compromise healthcare delivery,” Dr. Tenkorang said firmly.
