The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has appealed to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to exercise leniency in a disciplinary case involving a nurse accused of using insulting language against him on social media.
In a statement dated Sunday, October 12, 2025, and signed by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Tony Goodman, the Minister urged the GHS to “temper justice with mercy” in its handling of the matter, emphasizing the government’s commitment to free expression and tolerance of diverse opinions.
“The Minister commends the Ghana Health Service for promptly upholding the tenets of professionalism and the Code of Conduct prescribed for health workers. However, Hon. Akandoh has appealed to the Service to temper justice with mercy in addressing the matter.,” the statement read.
The controversy stems from a query letter issued to Ms. Bernice Aboagye, a staff nurse at the Nkenkaasu District Hospital in the Ashanti Region, after she was captured in a viral video allegedly using “unprintable and inappropriate” words against the Minister during a protest in Accra earlier this month.
In the viral clip, the nurse reportedly described the Minister as a “drama king,” accusing him of focusing on photo opportunities instead of addressing nurses’ salary arrears.
The hospital cited her conduct as a breach of multiple sections of the GHS Code of Conduct and demanded a written response by October 24, 2025.
While acknowledging the Service’s swift response, the Ministry reiterated that it does not oppose peaceful demonstrations, which it described as a “legitimate expression of frustration and a constitutional right of every citizen.”
However, the Minister cautioned that such expressions must be carried out with civility and respect.
“However, the Ministry will not condone the use of abusive language or acts of indiscipline during such demonstrations,” the statement noted.
The Ministry further urged health workers to be “circumspect in their public communications and social media engagements,” stressing that responsible expression strengthens professionalism and public trust in the health sector.
Below is a copy of the statement
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
