The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has given government a 48-hour ultimatum to arrest Ralph Saint Williams and eight alleged accomplices accused of physically assaulting a nurse at the Accra Ridge Hospital.
The association warned that failure to act swiftly will leave them with no choice but to “advise themselves.”
According to GRNMA’s General Secretary, Dr. David Tenkorang Twum, about eight men attacked the nurse during a confrontation at the hospital, leaving her with injuries. She is currently undergoing treatment. He described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable, insisting that health workers should not be forced to operate in unsafe environments.
“If anybody can just walk into Ridge Hospital, throw his weight around, and beat up a midwife while others cheer him on, that is unfortunate. Our people are traumatized, and we cannot continue like this,” Dr. Tenkorang said.
He stressed that the law provides protection for workers when their safety is compromised. Citing Section 119 of Ghana’s Labour Act, he noted that health professionals reserve the right to withdraw their services in unsafe conditions.
“If your health and safety are not guaranteed, you have every right under the law to remove yourself from danger. Our members say they do not feel safe,” he explained.
The association emphasized that the arrest of Ralph Saint Williams and the eight men identified in the viral video of the incident is critical to restoring confidence in the system.
“If these individuals are not arrested within 48 hours, we shall advise ourselves,” Dr. Tenkorang warned, calling for swift government action to ensure justice for the assaulted nurse and protect other frontline health workers.
