The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued an official query to Ms. Bernice Aboagye, a nurse stationed at the Nkenkensu Government Hospital in the Ashanti Region, following her viral outburst in which she described the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, as a “drama king” during a protest over unpaid salaries.
The nurse became an online sensation after a video captured her passionately expressing frustration during a nationwide demonstration organized by a coalition of trainee and newly posted nurses. The protest was aimed at drawing government’s attention to what they described as an unbearable situation caused by the non-payment of their accumulated salaries, some of which have reportedly been delayed for over ten months.
In the viral footage, Ms. Aboagye accused the Health Minister of engaging in publicity theatrics instead of focusing on solving pressing issues within the country’s health sector. Her emotionally charged comments, which resonated with many struggling nurses, quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking intense debate about freedom of expression, professionalism, and accountability in Ghana’s public service.
However, the Ghana Health Service viewed her conduct as a potential breach of the code of ethics governing public health workers. In a formal letter issued to her, the Service directed Ms. Aboagye to provide written explanations for her comments, which they say could be deemed as “disrespectful and injurious to the image of the Ministry and the nursing profession.”
Sources within the GHS revealed that the disciplinary inquiry is part of efforts to maintain decorum and professional integrity among health workers, even in times of grievance or protest. Officials noted that while nurses have the right to demand fair treatment and timely payment of their wages, such demands must be pursued through lawful and respectful means.
Meanwhile, the incident has drawn mixed reactions from the public and on social media. While some Ghanaians have condemned the GHS for what they describe as an attempt to silence a frustrated worker speaking truth to power, others believe the nurse’s choice of words and tone were unprofessional and could undermine respect for public office.
Representatives of the nurses’ groups who led the demonstration have also spoken in defense of Ms. Aboagye, emphasizing that her outburst reflected the genuine pain and desperation of many healthcare workers who have endured months without pay. They further called on the government to address the core issue—the long-standing salary arrears—rather than focusing on punitive measures.
As the query process continues, many in the health sector are closely monitoring the outcome, hoping it does not overshadow the broader call for reforms and improved welfare conditions for Ghana’s hardworking nurses.
The Ghana Health Service is yet to make an official public statement beyond confirming that the nurse in question has been asked to respond in writing to the allegations of misconduct.
The controversy, though uncomfortable for the health authorities, has reignited national discourse on how grievances within Ghana’s healthcare system are managed, and whether the government is doing enough to support the very professionals at the heart of the nation’s health delivery system.
