Accra, Ghana – August 22, 2025 – A confrontation at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) on August 18, 2025, has sparked widespread debate over healthcare standards, patient rights, and the boundaries of activism in Ghana. Political and social activist Ralph Saint Williams, also known as Ralph De Fellow Ghanaian, is at the center of the controversy after allegedly assaulting a nurse while bringing accident victims to the facility’s emergency unit.
According to multiple reports, Williams arrived at the hospital with critically injured individuals from a road accident and accused staff of negligence and delayed response times. Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage depict him shouting aggressively, filming healthcare professionals, patients, and visitors without consent, and allegedly engaging in a physical altercation with a nurse identified as Rejoice Tsotsoo Bortey. According to the hospital staff, Williams assaulted Bortey, grabbing her arm or phone, and causing her to fall during the ensuing chaos, with a group of accompanying men contributing to the disruption. Bortey reportedly sustained injuries, including a dislocated shoulder.
Williams has vehemently denied assaulting anyone or invading the hospital with a group of youths. In public statements, he attributed his actions to frustration over what he described as systemic failures in the healthcare system, citing previous experiences with medical negligence at Ridge Hospital. “It’s a lie; I never invaded Ridge Hospital with a group of youths,” Williams stated, while mocking claims of assault and emphasizing that the focus should be on the hospital’s alleged neglect of patients. He has expressed no remorse, insisting his intervention was necessary to save lives.
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from various stakeholders. The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government on August 19, demanding the arrest of Williams and his associates or risking potential service disruptions. GRNMA General Secretary Dr. David Tenkorang Twum highlighted the need to protect healthcare workers, stating, “Health workers cannot save lives at the expense of their own safety.”
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh visited the hospital the day after the incident and was filmed shaking hands with Williams amid a crowd, a gesture that fueled criticism for appearing to condone the behavior. Akandoh later clarified that the handshake was not an endorsement of any assault, explaining it occurred during efforts to de-escalate tensions. He directed police involvement, enhanced security measures, and an investigation into staffing shortages and operational issues at the facility. The Ministry of Health has condemned attacks on healthcare professionals and vowed to address underlying concerns.
Politically, the event has heightened tensions. Members of the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Parliament’s Health Committee condemned Williams’ actions in a press release signed by Ranking Member Nana Ayew Afriyie, describing them as “an affront to public order, patient privacy, and the dignity of health professionals.” The release accused the government of enabling individuals sympathetic to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) through silence and accommodation, and called for a police investigation and a joint inquiry with the Health Minister. Conversely, some voices, including commentator Kevin Taylor, have released extended CCTV footage and criticized the hospital for politicizing the incident, suggesting staff attitudes and delays contributed to the escalation.
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed arrests related to the disruption, though it is unclear if Williams has been detained. Public opinion remains divided, with many Ghanaians demanding his prosecution for the alleged assault, while others point to broader issues like understaffing, poor service delivery, and unprofessional conduct in public hospitals. The Majority in Parliament has urged a fast-tracked investigation to ensure accountability on all sides.
In a legal development, Nurse Rejoice Tsotsoo Bortey filed a lawsuit against Williams on August 20, 2025. A writ of summons from the High Court of Justice in Accra (Suit No. GJ/1116/2025) commands Williams to appear within eight days or face judgment in absentia, seeking relief for the alleged assault.
As investigations by the Health Ministry and police continue, the incident has ignited national discussions on improving healthcare infrastructure, protecting medical staff, and regulating public activism in sensitive environments. Authorities have emphasized that hospitals must remain sanctuaries for healing, not arenas for conflict.
