Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has announced plans to carry out a mass burial for hundreds of unclaimed bodies currently kept at its mortuary, following growing congestion at the facility.
In a press release dated Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the hospital explained that the mortuary has reached full capacity, making it difficult to safely and respectfully manage bodies that have remained unclaimed for long periods.
The situation, according to management, has made the exercise necessary to restore order and ensure public health standards are maintained.
Hospital authorities say the planned burial will cover unclaimed, unknown and unidentified bodies that have been held at the mortuary without any family members or representatives coming forward.
Records available to the hospital indicate that about 320 bodies are expected to be included in the exercise, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the facility.
As part of the process, Korle Bu has given families and next of kin a final opportunity to act.
Those who believe their relatives may be among the bodies are being asked to contact hospital management within a clearly stated timeframe to make the necessary arrangements before the burial takes place.
“The Management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital wishes to inform the general public that the Hospital Mortuary is currently congested and has reached full capacity,” the statement said.
The hospital has set January 18, 2026, as the deadline for all claims. After this date, any bodies that remain unclaimed will be buried in line with approved procedures and relevant regulations.
The mass burial will be carried out in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, with hospital management appealing to the public for understanding and cooperation as the exercise approaches.
