Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has justified his choice to shake hands with Ralph St. William, a social media figure accused of attacking a health worker at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.
The handshake drew widespread backlash after footage emerged showing the minister greeting the accused shortly after a meeting with hospital officials regarding the incident.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Health’s conference room in Accra, Hon. Akandoh clarified that the handshake was not a show of support for the alleged assault but rather a gesture of politeness expected from someone in public office.
He explained that, following discussions with hospital leadership, he formed a committee to look into the situation.
He recounted, upon exiting the meeting, he was informed that a man nearby was central to the controversy.
“So, on approaching me, I asked, ‘Why did you do what you did?’ When I asked, the gentleman stretched his hand, shook me, and attempted to whisper something into my ear. At this point, should I push him away, snub him, or shout at him?
“Even if that guy has been prosecuted and sentenced to life imprisonment, if he stretches his hand to shake me, as a minister and as a public officer, I have a duty to greet him back.”
He reiterated that the handshake did not compromise the government’s resolve to pursue accountability in the matter.
He emphasized “the fact that I shook hands with him does not mean I should stop any measures the ministry or government will take to unravel the situation.”
A committee has since been established to probe the alleged assault, and the minister has assured that appropriate steps will be taken once the investigation concludes.
