September 3, 2025, and marked an attempt to reset relations between the Association and the Ministry after weeks of public tension. The controversy stems from an incident on August 17, 2025, when individuals seeking medical care at the hospital were alleged to have assaulted nurses and other staff on duty.

The confrontation, which involved motorcyclist Ralph St. Williams and a group of riders, was captured in video clips that quickly went viral, sparking public outrage and calls for accountability. While the footage showed a heated verbal exchange, the Ridge Assault Investigative Committee later confirmed that no video or eyewitness testimony substantiated claims of a physical attack. The nurse at the centre of the allegations, Ms. Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, reported pain in her left hand the following day, but medical records confirmed there were no fractures or dislocations. She was treated with pain relief and offered psychological support.

At the September 3 meeting, GRNMA leaders acknowledged that the handling of the incident’s aftermath had been flawed and expressed regret for the tone and content of some public statements made in the heat of the moment. The delegation, which included former President Alice Darkoa Asare-Allotey, immediate past President Dr. Krobea Asante, current President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, and General Secretary Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, used the occasion to discuss ways of strengthening collaboration between nurses and the government to improve healthcare delivery.

Minister Akandoh accepted the apology and urged the Association to prioritise dialogue and constructive engagement over public confrontation. He reaffirmed his commitment to building strong partnerships with healthcare professionals, framing such cooperation as essential to improving service delivery nationwide. 

In outlining the government’s recent achievements, he cited the integration of 13,500 nurses onto the public payroll, the establishment of the Ghana Medical Training Fund, and the retooling of various health facilities. He also pointed to the settlement of arrears on nursing training allowances and National Health Insurance claims, as well as the government’s decision to absorb half of admission fees for nursing training institutions.

Looking ahead, the Minister pledged to ensure the full implementation of the collective bargaining agreement to improve conditions of service for nurses. He linked these commitments to broader health sector reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage, and appealed to both stakeholders and the public to remain calm while the government works to resolve systemic challenges. For their part, GRNMA leaders used the meeting to raise several pressing concerns affecting healthcare professionals, calling for urgent government attention to address them in order to enhance service delivery.

The Ridge Hospital incident and its fallout have highlighted the delicate balance between protecting healthcare workers, maintaining public trust, and ensuring that grievances are addressed through constructive channels. With the apology now on record and both sides pledging closer cooperation, the focus shifts to whether these commitments will translate into tangible improvements in working conditions, patient care, and the overall relationship between the Ministry and frontline health professionals.

Source: Ghana Weekend – Ridge Hospital assault: GRNMA apologises to Health Minister over attacks