Health Minister Shows Leniency to Nurse Who Insulted Him
Accra , Ghana – 12 October ,2025 - In a surprising move, Ghana's Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has appealed to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to temper justice with mercy in the case of a nurse who allegedly insulted him on social media. The nurse, identified as Bernice Aboagye, was issued a query letter by her employers after a viral video surfaced showing her using abusive language against the Minister.
According to a statement signed by Tony Goodman, Head of Health Training Institutions and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Akandoh urged the GHS to exercise leniency while addressing the matter. "Both the Minister and the government welcome divergent views and constructive criticism as part of the commitment to fostering tolerance and openness to diverse opinions," the statement read.
The controversy began when Aboagye, a staff nurse at Nkenkaasu District Hospital, participated in a protest over delayed salaries, during which she expressed her frustration in a video that later went viral on social media. In the video, Aboagye used unprintable and scandalous words to describe Minister Akandoh, sparking widespread public criticism.
Akandoh's plea for mercy comes as a surprise to many, given the severity of Aboagye's remarks. However, the Minister emphasized the need to create space for constructive criticism and divergent views within the health sector.
The Minister also encouraged health workers to express their concerns responsibly and respectfully, without resorting to insults. "Healthy dialogue contributes to the sector's development," he added.
The Ghana Health Service has been commended for swiftly responding to the incident and upholding professional standards. Aboagye has been directed to respond to the query letter by October 24, 2025, explaining why disciplinary action should not be taken against her.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with some calling for leniency due to the reported delays in payment of nurses' salaries, while others insist that professionalism must be upheld regardless of circumstances.
Source – Lead News Online
