Minister for Health Asks for Mercy After Staff Nurse Queried Over Social Media Remarks
By: Samuel Adu
The Ministry of Health has intervened after a query letter issued to Staff Nurse Bernice Aboagye about alleged unprofessional comments about Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh began circulating on social media.
In a statement, the Ministry said it had taken notice of the query and commended the Ghana Health Service (GHS) for promptly upholding professional standards and the Code of Conduct applicable to health workers. The query, issued through the Nursing Department and addressed to Ms. Aboagye via her nurse manager, alleges that videos circulating online show the staff nurse using “unprintable, inappropriate and scandalous words” about the minister. The letter notes that the audios have generated calls from concerned members of the public and sparked disparaging commentary across social platforms, and it attached copies of the referenced videos while asking Ms. Aboagye to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken for conduct contrary to Section 8.1(c) of the Code of Conduct.
While supporting the Service’s commitment to professionalism, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has urged GHS to temper justice with mercy in addressing the matter. The minister said both he and the government welcome divergent views and constructive criticism and stressed his commitment to tolerance and openness to differing opinions.
The Ministry also used the occasion to remind health workers to express their views responsibly and respectfully, warning against resorting to insults, which it said undermines the healthy growth and development of the health sector. At the same time, the Ministry emphasized that it does not object to demonstrations — describing them as legitimate expressions of frustration and a constitutional right — but made clear that abusive language or acts of indiscipline during such demonstrations would not be condoned.
The query letter requires Ms. Aboagye to respond and explain why disciplinary proceedings should not be initiated. The Ministry’s statement did not provide a timeline for any proceedings or indicate whether Ms. Aboagye has replied. Attempts to reach the Ghana Health Service and the Nursing Department for further comment were not immediately successful.