GRNMA Condemns Assault on Midwife at Community 22 Polyclinic, Pushes for Security Overhaul and ILO Convention Ratification

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association has condemned the physical assault of a senior staff midwife by relatives of a patient at Community 22 Polyclinic, describing the incident as an “uncultured, unacceptable, and criminal act of violence.”

In a press release signed by President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo and General Secretary Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, the GRNMA said it received the reports with grave concern and stressed that no nurse, midwife, or healthcare worker should face intimidation, threats, harassment, or physical assault while delivering essential services.

The Association is demanding that the hospital involved immediately strengthen security measures. It called for enhanced security presence at all critical service points, strict visitor management and access control systems, rapid response protocols for violent incidents, installation and maintenance of surveillance systems, and regular security risk assessments.

Citing an “increasing threat requiring national attention,” the GRNMA also urged the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana, teaching hospitals, and all health sector agencies to prioritize staff safety. It wants a national policy on prevention of workplace violence in healthcare settings, investment in security infrastructure across facilities, reporting and support systems for victims, and strong sanctions against perpetrators.

The GRNMA said the incident underscores the need for Ghana to ratify and implement ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. It called on Government, Parliament, employers, and workers’ organizations to expedite ratification, noting that the Convention provides a comprehensive framework for preventing workplace violence, including in healthcare.

The Association appealed to the Community 22 Police Station to expedite investigations and ensure all responsible persons are identified, arrested, and prosecuted. It also urged the public to avoid violence against health workers, stressing that nurses and midwives are not enemies of patients or their families. “Differences, frustrations, or misunderstandings should never be resolved through violence,” the statement read, directing the public to use established complaint and grievance procedures.

Addressing its members, the GRNMA acknowledged the anger the incident has caused but urged nurses and midwives to remain calm, professional, and law-abiding while authorities investigate. “An attack on one nurse or midwife is an attack on the entire nursing and midwifery profession,” it said, pledging to pursue justice and advocate for concrete safety measures nationwide.