Health Minister requests amnesty for nurse queried for using ‘inappropriate’ words against minister during street protest
The Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has appealed to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to show mercy in dealing with a disciplinary case involving a staff nurse accused of using insulting words against him [minister] on social media.
In a statement dated October 12, 2025 and issued by the Ministry of Health, the Minister acknowledged a query letter sent to Ms. Bernice Aboagye, a staff nurse at the Nkenkaasu District Hospital in the Ashanti Region, by the Ghana Health Service, which had been circulating on social media.
Mr. Akandoh said both he and the government welcome divergent opinions and constructive criticism as part of efforts to promote tolerance and openness in public discourse.
The query letter, dated October 10, 2025, and signed by Dr. Samuel Freeman Mensah, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, referred to videos circulating on social media in which the nurse allegedly used “unprintable, inappropriate and scandalous words” against the Health Minister.
It will be recalled that on October 2, 2025, some newly recruited nurses and midwives went on a protest march in Accra to demand payment of salary arrears.
During the protest, Ms. Aboagye allegedly called the Minister a “drama king” and accused him of caring more about photo opportunities than addressing the challenges facing health workers.
According to the query letter, Ms. Aboagye was accused of three breaches of the GHS Code of Conduct.
These include using unacceptable and inappropriate language resulting in rude behaviour towards the Minister, contrary to Section 8.1(c); using abusive language, contrary to Section 8.1(1); and tarnishing the image of the Service and bringing its name into disrepute, contrary to Section 4.1(d).
The hospital further noted that the videos had attracted wide attention on social media, with several people making negative remarks about the Service.
It added that the hospital had also received calls from members of the public expressing concern about the nurse’s conduct.
Ms. Aboagye was directed to submit her written response to the query by October 24, 2025.
In the statement issued by the Ministry of Health, signed by Mr. Tony Goodman, Head of Health Training Institutions and Spokesperson for the Ministry, the Ministry commended the Ghana Health Service for acting swiftly to uphold professional standards and the Code of Conduct for health workers.
Mr. Akandoh urged health professionals to express their opinions responsibly and with respect, without resorting to insults, since such behaviour undermines the dignity and growth of the health sector.
He noted that the Ministry has no objection to peaceful demonstrations or expressions of dissatisfaction, which are legitimate constitutional rights of all citizens.
Nonetheless, he cautioned that the Ministry will not tolerate abusive language or acts of indiscipline in the process.
The statement reminded health workers to exercise discretion in their public communication and social media activities to maintain public confidence in the Service.
