The Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has asked the Minister of Health to take immediate action against Ralph St. Williams, a social media activist accused of assaulting a nurse and disrupting operations at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital).

In a post reacting to the August 18, 2025, incident, Dr Ayew expressed outrage over Williams’ actions, describing him as a byproduct of arrogance and criticising his lack of remorse or apology for behavior that has received widespread condemnation.

“The anger in the GRNMA General Secretary is palpable. Minister, get into the matter and let Ralph face the law. What is wrong is wrong. To date, he hasn’t apologized to the staff or management of Ridge (Accra) Hospital, the patients, their families, or Ghanaians. This gentleman is simply an unconscionable byproduct of arrogance,” he wrote.

Addressing the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Dr Ayew urged swift intervention to ensure Williams faces legal consequences, stating, “What is wrong is wrong.”

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He criticised the minister’s reported cordial interaction with Williams after the incident, arguing that such gestures risk emboldening impunity, particularly given Williams’ reported affiliation with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“Fellow Ghanaians, your link to any political party should never let you have that grandiose delusion of being above the law,” Dr Ayew stated, warning that unchecked behavior could breed “super lawlessness” in an era where social media amplifies such actions.

Addressing the debate over whether only health professionals should manage the health sector, Dr Ayew rejected the notion as misguided.

He cited historical examples of non-health professionals who excelled as Health Ministers, including Dr.Nuamah Donkor and Major Courage Quashigah, as classic cases proving that competence, not professional background, is the real prerequisite for holding such office.

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“Nonetheless, I beg to differ with the argument that one has to be a health worker before he can appreciate the management of the health sector. Non-health workers, arguably in the past, have been the most appreciated by Ghanaians at the Health Ministry. As to who is a better or worse Health Minister, I am not in a position to judge. However, Dr Nuamah Donkor, a PNDC/NDC cadre (and a proud Ashanti from Koforidua Asokore) in the late 1990s to the early 2000s, was loved across the board. He appeared an atypical politician and was touted to be one of the best or favorite Ministers of Health by Ghanaians. He bonded well with Ghanaians regardless of their political affiliation. He was a social worker.

“The man Courage Quashigah, a proud Voltarian and a very intelligent person, was likable and praised by many in the 2000s. Arguably, one of the favorite Health Ministers Ghana had. He was an accomplished military officer,” he added.

“I stand to be corrected; all persons worth their salt can be a minister for a sector except for the Ministry of Justice or the Attorney General’s office,” the Ranking Member added.

GA/MA

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