Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has defended his decision to shake hands with Ralph St. William, the social media activist accused of assaulting a health worker at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.
The handshake, which was captured in a viral video, sparked public criticism.
Addressing the media on Thursday, August 21, 2025, Mr. Akandoh stressed that the gesture should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the alleged assault.
“Even if that gentleman has been prosecuted and sentenced to life imprisonment, if he stretches his hand to greet me, as a minister and public officer, I have a duty to respond,” he said.
He added that the incident does not affect the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability.
“The fact that I shook hands with him does not mean the ministry or government will halt any measures to unravel the situation,” he stated.
The minister has since constituted a committee to investigate the incident and assured that appropriate action will be taken once the findings are submitted.
