PMHGh condemns assault on pharmacy staff and customer, calls for trauma-Informed justice

The Pharmacists in Mental Health Ghana (PMHGh) has strongly condemned the violent assault on a pharmacy attendant and a female customer by a soldier at the e-PRIDE Chemist located within Burma Camp, describing the act as a violation of human dignity and a threat to public health safety.

The disturbing incident, captured on CCTV and circulated widely on social media, shows the uniformed officer physically attacking the two individuals inside the drugstore. The video has sparked outrage across the health sector and among the general public, with many calling for swift justice.

In a statement, PMHGh said the assault was not only “inhumane” but also a “direct attack on the dignity, safety, and psychological well-being of frontline health workers and the public they serve.”

“As pharmacists and mental health advocates, we recognize that an assault on a pharmaceutical care support member or a pharmacist is an assault on public health,” the association said.

PMHGh expressed full solidarity with the affected pharmacy personnel and customer, commending the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), the Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA), and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for their swift responses.

It particularly lauded the Armed Forces for arresting the suspect and urged authorities to ensure that investigations and disciplinary actions were carried out “swiftly, transparently, and in accordance with the laws of Ghana.”

While the CPPA and PSGH have been focused on professional and legal redress, PMHGh emphasized the need to complement justice with trauma-informed support for those affected.

To help victims recover from the psychological aftermath of the assault, PMHGh announced a collaborative initiative with PSGH and other partners to provide immediate mental health and psychosocial support.

The group also appealed to the Ghana Armed Forces to extend counseling and psychosocial support to all parties involved, including the victims, the family of the soldier, and particularly his children.

“The soldier also clearly needs support with anger management,” PMHGh noted, stressing that addressing the incident holistically could prevent future occurrences of workplace violence and promote emotional healing on all sides.

PMHGh urged policymakers, employers, and professional bodies to strengthen protections for healthcare workers, especially those in community pharmacies who frequently interact with the public under stressful circumstances.

“This incident must be a turning point,” Ghana must not only condemn violence against healthcare workers but also commit to systemic measures that protect their physical safety and mental well-being,” the group said.“

The association reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for trauma-informed justice, saying such cases should be handled not only with disciplinary rigour but with a deeper understanding of their mental health implications for victims, perpetrators, and families alike.