BY Grace Zigah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a coordinated attack on the General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), David Tenkorang, after he openly criticized the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, over his handling of the Ridge Hospital assault incident.
The controversy stems from the violent attack on nurses at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) last Sunday. Ralph Saint Williams, a social media personality popularly known as “Ralph De FellowGhanaian,” who is linked to the NDC stormed the hospital with over 20 men after sustaining injuries in an accident.
The group allegedly beat a nurse on duty, robbed her, and threatened other health staff.
While public outrage grew, the Minister for Health, Mintah Akandoh, visited the hospital but was seen hugging Ralph—an act that angered nurses and the public who felt the government was shielding the aggressor.
Akandoh later went on radio to state that arrests had been made, but the Police Service has not issued any official confirmation to that effect, raising doubts about the veracity of his claims.
Nurses Demand Accountability
In a strongly worded statement, GRNMA condemned the assault on their members, describing it as “unprovoked and loathsome.”
The association issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Police to arrest Ralph and his accomplices or face industrial action.
The statement further expressed disappointment in the Health Minister for what it described as a “palpable display of affection” towards the ringleader of the assault.
The association argued that such gestures only embolden lawless elements to continue attacking health workers.
NDC Turns Guns on GRNMA Secretary
Following these criticisms, leaked WhatsApp messages from NDC regional communication platforms reveal a coordinated directive to party communicators to “brand the GRNMA General Secretary as a rude and disrespectful NPP propagandist.”
The messages, some traced to the Ahafo Regional NDC platform, instructed members to publicly tag Tenkorang as “an NPP activist abusing his position as head of a professional body to insult the Health Minister.” Party communicators were further advised to stress that “if he does not respect the Minister, then he too will not be respected.”
NDC Communicators Join the Fray
Prominent NDC communication team members, including Gifty Enam Gbedevi and Hamza Suhuyini, have already taken to media platforms to lambast Tenkorang.
They argue that while the NDC government is “listening,” professional bodies do not have the right to “verbally assault government officials.”
The Concerned Nurses and Midwifery Association of Ghana, a breakaway group perceived to be sympathetic to the ruling party, has also joined the attacks, condemning the GRNMA General Secretary for “disrespecting” the Health Minister.
Political Undertones
The development has deepened suspicions that the Ridge Hospital assault case is being politicized. Allegations that Ralph Saint Williams has ties to influential figures within the NDC have further fueled fears that justice may be compromised.
Meanwhile, GRNMA maintains its demand for immediate arrests, insisting that the safety of nurses and other health professionals is non-negotiable.
What Next?
As of Thursday, August 21, 2025, Ralph remains at large even though the Minister insists arrests have been made.
Nurses across the country are now watching keenly to see whether the police will act before the GRNMA’s 48-hour ultimatum expires.
The situation has set up a fierce standoff between the professional association representing Ghana’s frontline health workers and the ruling NDC, with the GRNMA General Secretary now caught in the political crossfire.
