Health Minister Shaken by Shocking State of Ridge Hospital

Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed deep disappointment over the deteriorating state of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, commonly known as Ridge Hospital, after an unannounced visit on Friday, April 11, 2025.

The surprise inspection left the Minister visibly shocked, particularly at the poor conditions in the emergency department, a critical area meant to offer urgent and life-saving care.

“This is not the Ridge Hospital we handed over to the former administration. It must go back to its glory,” he told reporters shortly after the visit.

One of the most alarming discoveries was that essential medical equipment—including the MRI and CT scan machines—had been out of service for over two years. This, the minister noted, has greatly affected the hospital’s ability to deliver timely diagnoses and treatment to patients in need of urgent care.

Adding to the hospital’s woes, it was revealed that none of the washrooms in the emergency unit are currently operational. Patients, visitors, and even staff have had to endure this inconvenience, raising serious concerns about sanitation and basic human dignity.

The minister urged hospital staff to put aside any internal disagreements and focus on what matters most—caring for the patients.

“We don’t want to turn Ridge Hospital into a litigation centre. All health professionals involved have been told to cease fire,” Akandoh said, hinting at ongoing conflicts among staff that may be contributing to the hospital’s decline.

He also challenged the mindset that government alone must shoulder the cost of maintaining hospital equipment, pointing out that health facilities generate income from using these machines and should reinvest some of that revenue into repairs and upkeep.

“The state cannot carry all the burden while machines used to generate revenue are left to rot,” he said.

His visit has sparked a wider public conversation about the state of Ghana’s health infrastructure.

Many citizens have taken to social media to express frustration and call for immediate intervention to restore Ridge Hospital’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading medical facilities.

With the spotlight now on the hospital, expectations are high for quick action—not only to fix what’s broken but to ensure that the people who rely on Ridge Hospital receive the care they deserve.