The Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has stressed the importance of competence as a prerequisite for managing the health sector, particularly for the position of Health Minister.

In a Facebook post dated August 22, 2025, the Ranking Member cited two former ministers as among the finest to have ever held the position in Ghana’s history, despite their professional backgrounds not being in health.

“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 early 2000s, was loved across the board. He appeared an atypical politician and was touted to be one of the best or favourite 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 likeable and praised by many in the 2000s. Arguably, one of the favourite Health Ministers Ghana had. He was an accomplished military officer,” he wrote.

Majority condemns assault on health workers at Ridge Hospital

The statement by the Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore comes in response to criticisms over Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh’s handling of the August 17 or 18, 2025, incident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital).

Social media activist Ralph St. Williams, accompanied by others, allegedly invaded the emergency ward, disrupted operations, and assaulted a nurse.

Referring to the reaction of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to the incident, Dr Afriye called on the Health Minister to ensure the activist is brought to justice.

“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 apologised 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.

While emphasising the need for swift justice, Dr Afriye also pointed to the activist’s lack of remorse for his actions, including broadcasting the incident live on social media, an act deemed a clear violation of patients’ privacy.

The Ranking Member warned that failure to hold Ralph accountable would encourage lawlessness, especially in the current age of social media.

Ridge Hospital Incident: Minority Health Caucus condemns Ralph's actions

“Let’s focus on the core issues at stake so justice can be served immediately. Justice delayed is justice denied! The gentleman has no sense of remorse. Fellow Ghanaians, your link to any political party should never let you have that grandiose delusion of being above the law. This, when allowed, will breed super lawlessness in this era where social media remains a powerful medium of communicating to the public,” he stated.

GA/MA

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