The Ministry of Health is set to introduce a nationwide security framework for public hospitals following a recent assault on staff at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the incident, allegedly led by activist Ralph St. Williams, has forced government to rethink how health facilities are protected.
“What happened at Ridge is unacceptable. Our hospitals must be safe spaces for patients and the professionals who serve them,” Mr. Akandoh told TV3 on Monday, August 25, 2025.
He disclosed that his ministry is currently in discussions with the Ghana Police Service to deploy security personnel to major hospitals, with the plan eventually extending to district facilities. The rollout, he explained, would involve collaboration with District Chief Executives, health directors, and local police commands to guarantee swift response in times of crisis.
The minister emphasized that while hospitals are places of healing, the rising trend of attacks on health workers has created anxiety within the sector. “We cannot allow fear and intimidation to compromise the delivery of healthcare,” he added.
The move signals a major policy shift in how government intends to secure frontline health workers, with the Ridge incident serving as a turning point for reform.
